Earlier today I published an article about animal advocates and the tools each uses in the fight to give animals a voice. To add to that, I'm publishing this poem that I wrote a couple of years ago, which speaks as the voice of an animal advocate.
Living out at the beaches of Jacksonville, I'm priveledged to see some breathtaking natural beauty. But in my heart, I know that everywhere there are animals in harm's way who need a voice. This poem speaks of the frustration and heartache all of us who are advocates for animals feel at one time or another.
I Hear You
Creeping into my consciousness.
Penetrating my subconscious as I sleep.
I hear you.
Your screams in the darkness.
Your cries in my night.
Your desperate calls for help that never comes.
Only death, slow and agonizing.
Brings you final rest.
Merciful death comes slowly.
Agony, terror and pain precede it.
My heart aches for you.
My mind can’t wrap itself around the horror
That you, my precious ones, must endure.
But know that your screams will not go unheard.
Your cries and whimpers will not go unanswered.
Your terror and pain will not be swept away
With the last remnants of your being.
I cry at my complete helplessness;
My inability to take you in my arms
And give you peaceful reassurance.
That is what my heart aches to do.
My powerless inability to save you
Shatters my very soul.
But, I am here.
I am giving it my all.
I am waging the war that maybe some day
Will end this nightmare forever.
Until then, please know
You matter to millions of us.
We care beyond reason sometimes.
We battle daily for the change
That will silence your cries.
We are the warriors.
The ones who are fighting the battles
On whatever fronts we can find.
Our love and respect for you knows no bounds.
You can’t speak our language,
But we know yours by your eyes,
Your beautiful souls.
Your precious lives cut far too short
By others of our kind.
We will fight for you, my precious ones.
We will fight to our own deaths if need be.
I ask the Lord to please let you know somehow
I hear you.
© Bonnie Snider 01/03/2009
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