Cow

She. Ancient, sacred emissary and face 
of mother, sweet, caring, and serene.
Forlorn, her udder swollen, veins protruding.
 
Bellows all night long
for her babies
thrown like trash into wheelbarrows.
 
Dumped in plastic cubicles
to grow your young white meat. 
 
While she, mother, weeps on and on…
her milk pouring down human throats.
 
See her. Hear her.
 
Hear me.
Stop your part
in her agony
 
Stop raping her
Stop pulling her child from her womb
Stop her crying.
 
Respect her soul
Her body
Her right to be here
On Earth
 
Without human hands.

Poem by Thanissara. Thanissara is from London, was a Buddhist nun for 12 years in the Forest School of Ajahn Chah, and has taught meditation retreats internationally with her partner Kittisaro since 1992.

This poem highlights the sanctity of cows and other nonhuman life. Check out the Plant Based Treaty for help transitioning to a plant-based diet which protects innocent animals from harm, will reduce your personal carbon footprint, and reduces the destruction of invaluable ecosystems.