Poem: Ironic (haiku in 12 variations)

1)

I think it’s so strange

That the same people who say

They love animals

2)

Purchase them at stores

Cut up their raw carcasses

Eat them with delight.

3)

They’re so horrified

When third world cultures eat dogs

While they carve up pigs.

4)

While they mutilate

Gentle sheep, lambs, geese, chickens

Cows, pigs, snails and frogs.

5)

Using subterfuge

They re-label the creatures

Beef, pork and poultry.

6)

Hiding their true names

Cows, pigs and chickens

Covers up the shame.

7)

They proudly proclaim

“Free range” to hide the murder

“Grass-fed” masks slaughter.

8)

Hunters aim their guns

Display decapitated

Bison, deer, tigers.

9)

Then they dress their pets

In winter coats, boots and hats

But just the cute ones.

10)

Intelligence and

Cuteness is arbitrary

Perception is all.

11)

Who gets to decide

Which animals are eaten?

The lucky humans.

12)

We’re just like babies

We’re defenseless and helpless

Without our weapons.

I’m not vegan, I’m pescatarian. My son eats meat. I just think there’s so much irony in how we treat animals depending on their designated value.