From the archives, for Joe, after reading "The Process . . . "

 

One of the realities of ranching is the "putting down" of sick animals. 

 




A Warm Day

 

Such things happened today 

as would make ten good poems. 

I choose not to tell a one. 

 

Instead, know this day is warm, 

the sun is bright, high cirrus

clouds foretell a change. 

 

That my hands appear unsullied 

is proof of nothing, my dogs know better,

for I carry odors of gunpowder

 

and blood and manure and straw and soap,

and no one knows how a state of grace

can come and go within seconds—

 

if life is better ended on an inhalation expectantly,

or an exhalation spent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Poetry by jim The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 119 times
Written on 2021-01-28 at 03:26

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Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
This being a poetry site, I think that it's important to note that this is a very well composed poem.
2021-01-28


F.i.in.e Moods The PoetBay support member heart!
Oh I don't think I could ever do it. I mean, as a child, I cried when I inadvertently drowned a spider once lol And I'm far from being a fan of spiders, but killing anything that's alive, I just can't. That's how ridiculously sensitive I am about these things :) Not insinuating that you're not sensitive either! In the context beautifully described here, it's obvious it's for the animal's end of suffering. I'm sure it's not anything about being a rancher that ever gets easier with time. Thanks for sharing this sad experience, it's very touching.
2021-01-28


josephus The PoetBay support member heart!
I’ve put down animals, jim. You’ve dealt with it here very well, obliquely as it should be. When we act as God it must be veiled and acted out of reverence and compassion.

I hunted as a young man and killed for sport. Now I no longer Value the act of taking a life but have had it thrust upon me as a burden of being human and humane.
2021-01-28