The Dancing Cows (The Cynic)

 

I saw some cattle roaming free.

In wide-open spaces with fresh grass green.

Their big, brown eyes did meditate,

And curious calves did hesitate.

 

Then somewhere else the ground burns hot,

And no cows dance in this feed lot.

A thousand heifers all well-bred,

With flaxen hides and all well fed.

Side by side behind iron grate,

Then side by side on a Burger King plate.

 

Two images here of creatures bovine:

In one they are happy—in one, cruel design.

Having pondered their plight, my conclusion of late

Is they both will end up with the very same fate.

(© 1986 Connie S. Tettenborn)