Pastoral

“Listen to those

contented cows

mooing. Oh I love

the sounds of

the country” they

say as they drive

past  a black herd

in a green field.

Not seeing,

on the other

side of the road,

black calves,

separated

just last night

from their mothers.

Who are crying

in pain and fear

trying to get

their babies back.

Sensing that their

future lies in

a terrifying

truck journey

and then the

cutting of throats.