Second Thoughts
By Betty Jahn
An Animal Rights Poem from All-Creatures.org

All of God's creatures have rights, a fact that most people don't seem to recognize. This includes both human and non-human animals, but not all of them can speak for themselves.

Second Thoughts
By Betty Jahn

Alone, In God's quiet
On a far hill
Where wild woods meet pasture
I meet a group of cows.

One spots me and all gallop in my direction.
I hadn't known such bulky animals could run.
I'm afraid, and think I ought to retreat to the woods,
But I stand planted, mesmerized by their interest in me.
They slow up at ten feet and approach gently, 
huge heads outstretched.
I never knew cows' faces were so pretty,
their eyes so warm.
I extend my hand to the leader,
A great raspy tongue licks me like a dog.
Thick tongue I once ate boiled and salted.

If only we could meet our meat on a far hill,
alone in God's quiet,
Before we meet it on a plate.

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