Breaking the Silence
By Heather Leughmyer
An Animal Rights Poem from All-Creatures.org

Breaking the Silence
By Heather Leughmyer

Silence ensures that the meek are restrained
The harmless held captive, the innocent chained
A menacing friend to corruption and greed
Through deafening silence no soul will be freed.

 

Silence aids slaughter and vicious assault
The world is a witness, yet no one’s at fault
An ally to those who exploit for gain
Whose power is seized through oppression and pain.

One caring expression can shatter the silence
Like a stone through a window, revealing the violence
If one tiny seed can alter our choices
We could cultivate peace with an army of voices.

When silence is broken and compassion is heard
Tyranny fails and becomes just a word
When our hearts are exposed and we let ourselves mourn
Mercy trumps malice and empathy’s born.

When justice prevails and all life is protected
Only then will we see we are closely connected
When egos are small and no longer shortsighted
Only then will we realize we are earthlings united.

Broken hearts. Theirs and mine. This photo was taken on a slaughterhouse kill floor.