What milk entails
It's mating time.
The gate is opened,
The bull charges into the field
Amongst the waiting cows.
When all's complete a calf's conceived
For milk, for meat or perhaps another breeding bull.
Gestation completed, a calf or two are born.
These calves could have a short life.
They may be slaughtered for veal,
And the breakfast carton for cereal is ensured once more.
But what of the mother,
Minus her calves,
With milk flowing freely to feed them?
Is there no pain at the loss of her children?
Is there no loneliness as she stands in her stall?
Is there no fear or anxiety at this unnatural void in her life?
Well fed she may be, warm and dry in her stall,
But what has she to look forward to?
Or does she only think for the moment?
Do food and shelter supply all her needs?
Then, out in the field the gate is opened once more.
Gestation proceeds again.
Man sometimes thinks vegetarianism is enough not to be cruel,
But they don't think of the dairy cows.
They keep drinking milk to receive the minerals they need.
Does the cow want release from this automated existence?
Is man prepared to become vegan and live on the pulse of the Earth?
Adrienne Burns, year 9, Clare SA
This poem comes from the collection Voices for the Animals - A Collection of Stories and Poems by Australian School Students .
Animal Liberation SA holds the copyright to this work. Permission is granted to teachers to make copies for their own students.