Questions From a Caring and Compassionate Heart and Soul
By Ashlie Wyman
An Animal Rights Poem from All-Creatures.org

Why is it that a caterpillar doesn't have the choice to stay a caterpillar?

Crawling and weaving in and out of dew soaked leaves.
Tiny fur follicles brushing against it's yellow body;
small and unspoken.

What is it that says that it can't stay wingless in a tree;
hiding between bark and vine.

There will come a dreamless day when a creature 
has a choice to speak out loud 
through a human voice.

And who says that the elephant must be chained and broken?;
sad and mistreated in an unfamiliar scene,
ripped and stolen from it's hot savanna;
green and untouched.

But as all things change,
with the slow revolving of the earth...
A time will evolve out of the depths of a kind heart
when we will speak for those who have no voice.

Can it be that there is some unwritten law that states 
that the fox or mink or raccoon should be
worn upon coats and mittens or hats,
skinned and electrocuted, 
a tear in eye?

Who can be the judge for the fact of unnecessary death?

To rub ointments and products in a rabbit's eyes
till the point of swollen pores and unending tears.

To send primates to space 
or fix a machine into the brain of a kitten?

And the day has come for when we all have united ... 
the few of us out there who
have a caring and compassionate heart and caring soul.