Departure

I love watching the sheep and cattle roaming over the fields opposite our house,  and have taken to counting them, like a morning register.  I'm a vegetarian, but a realist, so realise that without people eating meat I wouldn't be able to enjoy this aspect of our view.  It's still sad when they disappear though.  


An evening of plaintive bleating
Prompts a count of white dots in the field. 
No matter how I alter the groupings
It always adds up to the same eleven. 
Ten lambs have been chosen and taken, 
Realising their high market value.
This first year of lambing in the valley,
Plays out the truth of livestock farming:
That without these sad goodbyes
There would be no smiles hello. 

© Copyright 2021. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved 

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