ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

A Needless Disposal

The darling of the racecourse, undisputed in her reign
had entranced the crowd for many fruitful years,
but time was swift approaching when retirement was her due,
with the freedom so deserved for such careers.

Along the coastal road they came with horseflesh in their sights,
to convey some older equines to their doom,
where slaughterhouse awaited with its callous, vicious deeds—
gruesome slayings in some cold and squalid room.

The lady in her stable scented malice in the air
like a baffling vengeance creeping ever near;
her unprotected shoulder felt the sharpened end of steel,
and she kicked and reared and neighed in panicked fear.

Her cries were plainly heard and I, consumed with righteous rage,
dropping everything, spun round and bolted back.
With a fury never felt before I wildly thrashed and roared
to protect this loyal horse who’d ruled the track.

I damned them all to hell, and those who’d bid these killers come—
ruthless swine who’d made agreements to betray.
It’s true that nothing lasts forever, nothing stays the same,
but by all that’s decent, this was not the way!

She’d raced for all her might with such devotion all her days,
earning profits that exceeded greedy dreams;
red mist descended, fury and injustice fuelled my strength
as the stable amplified my wrathful screams.

I soothed her trembling body, watched the terror leave her eyes,
while repugnance for this practice riled and burned;
and promised her she’d safely dwell in verdant, open fields
to forever reap respect and love she’d earned.

Her story isn’t rare, for many noble beasts are sold
and so shamefully mistreated prior to death.
So open up your eyes—this needless slaughter still goes on—
we should fight such evil ways with every breath!

©Catherine Lee

Oh wow! That made me tear up Catherine - a subject dear to my heart and your poem is so very powerful - who speaks for the horses, they have no voice but ours and with over 9000 racehorses sent to slaughter each year it is an ongoing problem that many have issues with. Basically the horse racing industry is akin to puppy farming - too many horses bred and the slow ones don't make it through.... there are not a lot of Winks or Maykybe Divas out there.

You made excellent use of those prompts, and I would personally love to see you share your poem with some of the horse rescue groups we have - I know so many people would appreciate it so much.

Very powerful images Catherine.

Thank you so, so much, Maureen - I am greatly moved by your kind words and would be only too happy to share it with anyone, so will gladly look up some of the rescue groups. I had already started on this idea when someone posted the most shocking short video on Facebook about Australian horses in Korea being foully mistreated prior to their slaughter. I was sickened, and even though I do realise this goes on, I certainly could not watch it twice! I almost sent it to you via Messenger actually, but felt it would upset you too and that you’d probably seen similar as I know such things are dear to your heart also... I can’t tell you how appalled I was to see these beautiful, gentle creatures being beaten and slaughtered in such a manner! Thank you once again – and I’m sorry to make you tear up, but to be honest I wish it would cause others to do the same so that more outrage might result in something being done about it.

…Neville, as always I greatly appreciate your comments also – thank you.

Would you allow me to share it with my Brumby Rescue Groups Catherine?

Very powerful indeed Catherine, and a different use of the prompts.

G/day Catherine

There's a lot of this going on and not just with horses; greyhounds live a precarious existence as well.
I remember as a young boy being horrified to see a horse led out and shot and skun then fed to the pigs - I've never forgotten that.

Very well written as usual Catherine.

Terry

Thank you very much, Shelley and Terry; I appreciate your comments.... I'm not surprised you never forgot that, Terry - I would have been scarred for life, I think! Cruelty to any animal whatsoever is simply way beyond my comprehension, and utterly despicable.

Yes, Maureen, by all means please feel free to share it with your groups as you see fit - you would certainly have many more contacts than me in this regard and I am touched that you consider it worthy.