Recognize Me
By Cheryl Greear
An Animal Rights Poem from All-Creatures.org

Photo by Sue Holloway - Creatured Connection

For I am you--whether winged or furry or water bound-I live and die, just as do you.

I see you because you can look at me as well and see that my blood runs through my body; a body given by the creator, just as yours was given to you.

You live as you choose and make your rules to suit your existence--yet your rules do not protect me, for I can not speak to protect my kind and our rights. Therefore, I do not live; I merely exist, because unlike you, I have no choice.

I hear you because you can hear me; yet you choose not to hear my need for compassion to live as my creator intended; just as do you.

Your home is my home; yet you take mine away because you see my existence as trivial; however, in as much, you destroy your home as well for pleasures sake.

My legs were made to roam, my wings to soar, my feet however diverse were made to walk this earth.

Our laws were given by nature which we respect to the fullest for herein lies our survival. You do not respect the laws of nature--you punish her with your own laws which are born from greed and selfishness against your own environment and your own kind.. Stop...for a moment and see our existence--for in doing so you would learn the true meaning of being alive--untainted and innocent, we survive on instincts alone that you have thrown away. Stop...and listen to the voiceless....Stop and look at me. Do you not yet recognize me.......for I am you. You are my voice.