TRIPE

Unbelieving nostrils flare upon each taxed face
smelling death's breath in an unfamiliar place.
Survival's panic flashes in their innocent eyes
as not guilty pleas echo in their unheeded cries!

The end comes with steel piercing a trapped head
then shackles grip hind legs, before they are dead.
Hoisting them stupefied to where jugulars are cut
now no more open fields, or leisurely casual strut!

Amid the stench of death and near congealed blood
the compulsory spilling out of that morning's cud.
For the stomach walls to be misshapen then dipped
in mother's milk, after all tubes have been clipped!

Hired slaughtermen sharpen blades to start again
on those left cowering without a future to sustain.
With only a raw instinct, fostered by others fright,
oh, how well all good meat eaters will eat tonight!

sonofadam