Cruelty to animals must stop

Red red day

As a cub I play with my siblings in the den,
leaping and jumping as human children do.
My parents told me to be fearful of men,
but I was not able to believe what they could do.
My russet fur gleamed in the warm sunshine,
I'm a free spirit! I do as I please!
Just like human children, I enjoy the day fine.
Hearken at my woe and answer my piteous pleas.
Would you like it?
Would you like it if they were after your blood?
How can they see fit?
If I had tears the world would be in a flood.
The air, the air was stilled. Stilled by the blasts!
The blasts of that trumpet that carries death!
The men with faces so cold they had to be masks,
thundering towards me over the hill cleft.
My heart stopped. My eyes widened at the sight.
And my life shattered like glass.
Without a second thought, I took flight.
My paws skimming over the desperate grass.
My blood was boiling in a fever,
my pelt, however, was cold as ice.
Men or hounds. There's no telling either.
There's no telling either of whom your life will slice.
They are running for their fun whilst I am running for my life!
Is this a game? Is this a race? Is this sport?
Ha! Oh fools! Your life is good. My life is utter strife!
Human children grow old. My age is cut short.
I could feel their breath upon my tail,
their teeth hungry for my young flesh and blood.
Most of us foxes follow this common trail,
we have no choice. We don't wish to be treated as mud.
My lungs were aching. My feet were agony.
Each breath came as a gasp of weary grief.
Do humans see this as some kind of spree?
Thief! Who stole my life before it begun! Thief!
My last actions were as my legs gave way from underneath,
I fell to the ground with a pained yelp.
I fell as does a finished autumn leaf.
No one came to help. No one came to help.
My eyes were not permitted to close with peace,
I was not to die without pain it seemed.
Hot breath ruffled my ragged fur with ease.
Oh please no! My insides screamed!
CRACK! Such agony drove through my nerves...
ridding my muscles of all other tiredness.
That cold whip through air did swerve,
bringing its end to my broken mess.
Help! I can hear barking! Howling!
I can sense them closing in... closing in... on me...
The first teeth drove in and I was yowling,
yowling to give my final plea!
Such excruciating agony! Oh death! I await your embrace!
Take me away from this terrible fate.
Each claw ripped into me like a merciless mace!
Scratching and tearing as though I were a wooden crate.
Oh! Brother dogs! I am a fox! Am I not blood too?
I cry. I howl. I yip and yap like you. I am the same.
Why do you hold me in such mortal hatred? The differences are few.
Oh hunters! Know you not my name?
I am fox! Fox who never harmed you! Fox who feels grief.
Is killing me really such an enjoyable spree?
I have fur yes. But tears and feelings and pain shine underneath.
Why must you hunt me down? Why can't I just be free?
You have no idea of the agony that streaks through,
The seething blood that is spilt from tooth and claw and cane!
My parents watched as me you criminals slew!
Are you inhumane? Are you insane?
I am fox. But I am no different. I have family too.
But your cruelty ends my life before it even begun.
For you it may be some large game that brings exhilaration to you.
But for me. I lose the race. My song is sung.