The Request Book

Guard Cow

"We are all made of meat, you know," she said
But rather than comply and end up dead,
I would give up some of my milk instead.
But hark, he comes to make of us his bread.

I daren't resent of anyone their need
And what they need I truly do take heed
For everyone must take something for feed
Or suffer unto life, perishing indeed.

But no-one tells us how one might survive
If one is but a cow wanting to thrive
We've waited until now and we're alive
I'll offer you the sow or the beehive

Now darkness matters, but it always did
You always mattered more than what you hid
The darkness teases, saying you're outbid
The dark's your shackle you cannot get rid

The farmer sleeps no more, he eats his fates
His hunger drives, thinking of these plates
He's coming now, the abattoir awaits
Both he and I awake, wipe clean our slates

Am I on guard, or just observing nothing?
Or am I sore from all that brutal milking?
And even so, if seeing this, or sore,
If I be blind or pained or numb, what's more?

Will I freeze stark while in the dark dark night
I hear my brother's cry caught in his throat
While life just ends, breath sticks not in nor out
Will I rise giving milk, or meat, or truth?