Comment from --Turtle.

Excellent

Hi, Craig.

Nice job with this 5-7-5 entry. The reflection here is sound, and brings awareness for me how hard it is to escape meat in today's culture, trying to avoid eating things that were alive, and being sheltered from the process. I might not be a vegetarian, but reading your poems and thinking through the process over the years has led to awareness and a big shift in things I buy to eat, which includes less meat.

Not that that's all that great, or that I give myself any stickers, but there is more conscious effort than I had years before, when food was just food and that's how things simply worked.

 Comment Written 14-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 14-Dec-2017

Hey Turtle, good to hear from you. I miss seeing your contributions, whether they be reviews or postings of your own work, when you're not here for a while.

Some might see my animal-related stuff as taking some "holier-than-thou" approach, setting myself up in judgement over people who eat meat. I really don't have that attitude - I just think the animals don't have a voice (that we choose to hear), so they need people to speak out on their behalf. If I can chip away, and raise awareness a little, that's my aim. And good for you that you are consuming less meat. None of us are entirely true to our own moral standards. If I was, I'd be a vegan, which I'm not (although damn close to it lol). Anyway, I'm not a "hater" of people who include animal flesh in their diet - but if you want to talk about people who run around murdering animals in a pathetic attempt to compensate for their tiny endowment, that's a different conversation ;-)

Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

Kudos to you -- man after my own heart! Deserving of a sixer, but please accept a virtual six. Violence DOES begin and end with the fork. These beautiful creatures die a violent, vicious death by desensitized humans. Shame on us for our treatment of them. Our dinner does NOT come neatly wrapped in cellophane at the supermarket. I am vegetarian for many years. Reason--I will not eat flesh. Thank you for writing on this important topic. Marilyn

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2017

Congratulations on your compassionate choice, Marilyn; and thank you for the lovely comments. I've been surprised to learn there are quite a few of us in FS. The more, the better. Cheers, Craig.

Comment from Mustang Patty

Excellent

Hi, Craig;
The ability to be a 'free range' animal must be distressing for the animals who stay in one place all day. It is just natural to want to be able to move about. Thank you for sharing your five-seven-five for the contest,

~patty~

 Comment Written 06-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 06-Dec-2017

Thanks for checking out my poem, Patty, and for the supportive comments. They're much appreciated. Craig

Comment from Sharon Haiste

Excellent

This poem is a good entry for the 5-7-5 writing prompt.
The picture is a good match for your message as well.
Good luck to you with the competition.
Sharon

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2017

Thanks for the kind words and good wishes, Sharon. Much appreciated - Craig

Comment from Dean Kuch

Excellent

Oh boy.
And here I just had a T-bone steak for dinner tonight.
Could I feel any guiltier than I do right now?
Yes, I probably could, heh-heh-heh.
Best of luck to you in the 5-7-5 contest, Craig.
~Dean

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2017

Thanks, Dean. I can see I'm going to have to come up with something a little more persuasive. How about a juicy little tale where some brain-eating parasite has, unbeknown to food authorities, infected the flesh of cattle destined for the dinner tables of the world? Oh wait, it's been done lol

Bon appetit! ;-)

Craig

reply by Dean Kuch on 05-Dec-2017

It has already been done, Craig?
Geesh...
How' I miss it?!?
~Dean ;)

Comment from Joan E.

Excellent

Thank you for adding Angus' photograph and the powerful quote from Gandhi. I appreciate your thought-provoking 5-7-5. Here's to peace and being free! Best wishes in the contest- Joan

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2017

I'll drink to that. Thanks, Joan, for the kind words and good wishes. Craig

reply by Joan E. on 05-Dec-2017

Cheers and sweet dreams- Joan

Comment from prettybluebirds

Excellent

Excellent. Great picture of an Angus. It is unusual for a beef animal to be in a stanchion though. We have had every breed of cow I can think of at one time or another. I wish you the best of luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2017

Thanks very much for the kind words, and the good wishes. Much appreciated, Craig

Comment from Gloria ....

Exceptional

When you really think about slaughterhouses and meat cutting and processing and freezers it's pretty grizzly. And look at that cute little Angus's eyes.

Violence begins with the fork is profound.

Anyway best of luck to you in the contest, Craig. :))

Gloria

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2017

I think everyone should be forced to do two things:

Take a tour of an abattoir whilst it is operating, and

stand face to face with a steer and look into its eyes for at least a minute.

See how many converts we get.

Thanks so much, Gloria :)

Craig

Comment from rama devi

Excellent

Love the import here. It's so important people wake up to see how these creatures are mistreated. I've been vegetarian since 16 years of age. Peace and contentment - universal indeed. Nice Gandhi quote too. Well done!


Warmly, rd

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2017

I only wish I'd been a vegetarian since 16 - I'm a slow learner :) Thanks so much, RD. Craig

reply by rama devi on 05-Dec-2017

Sure thing, Craig. Glad you embrace it now!

Comment from Teri7

Excellent

This is a very well written 5-7-5 poem you have penned for the contest. You used very good descriptive wording and I love the picture. Best wishes in the contest. Teri

 Comment Written 05-Dec-2017

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reply by the author on 05-Dec-2017

Thanks very much for the kind words, Teri. They're much appreciated - Craig