Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Don't Look Back

I don't believe most people can see beyond where they are in this moment. I hear them judging others for what they did then and wonder if it would be any different without the hindsight.

I often watch the death trucks pass by me as I wait at the stop sign on Route 29. I see the hopeless faces peering out, the eyes pressed close to the slats, trying for a breath of fresh air. If my windows are open I hear their squeals of fear and pain. Of course these are only hogs, but I wonder if once those others thought, these are only Jews.

I see creatures shoved into spaces so close they can barely move, their feet scarred and blistered from unending standing in terrible places. I see others with their mouths mutilated so we can enjoy the fruits of their suffering and I wonder if those people eating fried chicken and eggs care about these poor creatures. Once upon a time it was said that slaves could not feel like we do either.

I see dogs tied out in the blistering sun and birds in cages so small they cannot fly. I see children simply fed and clothed, not cherished. I hear the screams of people being shot and tortured because we want their oil and they dare to complain. I see people killing in the name of God and I wonder how we became such an unfeeling race of creatures.

What will people think of us in the not so distant future?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

As a vegetarian and a peace activist I totally agree with you. I was just talking to someone last night about the seal hunt in Canada, tjhe whale hunt, the aerial killing of wolves, tjhe art exhibit shut down because it was a series of videos of bludgening different animals. I just do not get it...humans are the unthinking ones. Suzanne