I so lament the passing of so many baby calves each year

To be ignorant
as so many of you are
I suppose must be
sad in fact and so tragic
for each year regrettably
700,000 baby calves
are born to die
most within 5 days
their mothers yes are
wondering why
after 9 months of carrying
and caring for them they
were taken off in just one day
manhandled away
those little babies inquisitive
and fresh and on their way
thinking of green pastures
and each bright new day
but of course the dairy industry
wants the milk to sell
the calves are waste
and they in fact are consigned to
Hell Everywhere it happens
this practice is not unique
they are carted off to the abattoir
many very weak
tossed around and sworn at
prodded and pushed and shoved
into the killing areas
they die there, all unloved
vegetarians now drinking milk
organic drinkers too and of course
you dairy purchasers are adding to the
stew
this vile produce of slaughter and the cruel
manner in which its done
reduce your milk consumption, butter and cheese
the fun
of being born a dairy calf is lost
in so many ways
drinking the milk that belonged to them
creates this sick malaise
listen to those babies
as their slaughtered one by one
crying for their mothers
wondering what they’ve done

*Inspired by a tag from my sweet friend
Claudia Ferri*