Poems of compassion dedicated to the non-human animals who share this planet
with us and the people who fight for them.
Number 6
By Heather Leughmyer
The smell of searing flesh and fur
Combined with frantic cries
Imprinted with the number “6”
As tears flow from your eyes.
Numbers don’t have pounding hearts
Numbers can’t think or feel
A number’s pain does not exist
A number’s screams aren’t real.
Now that you are number 6
Your body will be maimed
Then you’ll be sent to slaughter
Conveniently unnamed.
Now that you are number 6
Your suffering diminished
You could just be forgotten
This poem could just be finished.
But you are so much more
Than the brand that stains your hide
A victim of a holocaust
With gentle chocolate eyes.
A unique and tender being
Who should have had a name
No other can replace you
No spirit is the same.
To me you’re not a number
Your soul deserves release
With love I call you Calum
Which means purity and peace.
Go on to: Number 968
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