Tale Of A Life
By Christian Maire
An Animal Rights Poem from All-Creatures.org

Just a little while ago
When the ground was cloaked with snow
I tapped on a door on the other side
Of the room where my friend resides.

A greeting heard is a greeting done
A meal embarrassed to be a son
The grassy field could hide my form
And the trees above would block the storm

A friendly man who beckoned me
The same one who had set me free
It's rare for hearts to show such trust
To one of those who feels he must

Noises, sounds, I see no source
An unknown hunch changes my course
Big bright stars off to the west
Moving nervously, never to rest

The noises are those who look like my friend
Though it's a strange call that I hear them send
The trampling grows louder, I hear one call
Suddenly stopped, no sound at all

The stars are gone, the night is still
A pungent stench that only says "kill"
My heart pounds harder, something's not right.
Where once was peace, now only fight.

A single star settles my soul
A shout, a flash, I hear thunder roll
The calming light brightens and blinds me
A strange explosion in a nearby tree.

I don't understand, the voice says run
Bitterness -- they seem to be having fun
I spin around to escape the fear
The next thunder is one I feel, not hear

A warmness running down my side
No strength to run, no will to hide
Another sting, they laugh at their game
Strangely, sadly, I do the same.

The sinking feeling reaches my knees
They rejoice as I fall; glad to please
Something presses against my skull
One last flash, and all is dull.