the road to extinction is paved with good intentions

I just can't keep my paws out of the fire

She won't eat meat

Nor put leather on her feet,

She shuns milk and eggs

And won't wax her legs

Because honey comes from bees

And chickens don't grow on trees.

Certified cosmetics,

Made from synthetics,

We all have to do our part,

To save every thing that has a heart.

To be that way is fine,

But don't impose your will on mine.

What do you think

all the farmers would do?

If everyone was like you?

Sell their livestock to a zoo?

Better yet,

Sell you a 1000 pound Angus

As a pet?

I don't mind that you're a vegan,
You just keep on believin'
But it isn't you that's keeping
Bessie from extinction,
It's a man's cravin',
For a cheese and double bacon,
That keeps your cause alive.

Author's Note

I was a vegetarian for 21 years. I never cared if other people ate meat.
I went back to eating meat, as statistically
many vegetarians do, for various reasons.
A good friend of mine is a non-judgmental
vegan who is slammed by her "community"
for feeding her family meat. When she tries
to rationally explain that she wasn't always
vegan and she cannot expect her family to
"convert", she is tsk tsked, and even sometimes,
loses business because of it.
We all, meat eaters and vegetarians alike,
should work towards humane treatment
and natural, healthy, sustainable
methods of raising livestock,
instead of expecting the whole world
to become vegan.

Reviews

[Ana Papaya]

I like the poem, and the message.
It's nobody's business what sort of diet we keep is it?
I'm a meat eater and for me the five basic food groups are beef, pork, fish, chicken and something to drink.
I only eat vegetables because I have to. There's a great book on eating for your blood type. I never really thought much of it when I look at myself and my family and the types of foods we prefer, maybe there's something to it? We are omnivorous by nature so it's really all about balance anyway.

[Lyn Anderson]

Balance, exactly, and just cause I adore spinach and grape leaves, doesn't mean anyone else has to.:)

[Ana Papaya]

well, I love grape leaves too if they're rolled and stuffed with rice and ground beef like little cabbage rolls. I also love cabbage rolls. And to be truthful, I like spinach too. I'm one of those rare breeds that just loves all food no matter what. Now I'm craving cabbage rolls. and it's close to lunch time and I'm hungry. I'm going to stroll up to the food court at the eaton centre to the Rich Tree Marketplace and see what they've got. :)

[barleygirl]

Amazing! This is a departure for you, but I really love it. As you may realize, I'm a sucker for snappy rhythm & rhyme, so this reads with the same spunk & sass as the words themselves convey. I've also seen this cloud from both sides now, so I love all your observations & perspectives (esp. author's note). As always, your point of view is a little bit outside the dots, even on familiar everyday topics of contention (one of many things I love about you).

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you very much. I actually have a lot of snappy saucy poetry. I will have to dig some up for you. Hard to keep track -- I have over 111 pages now.:)

[barleygirl]

You are very prolific. Most writers have lulls, so if I'm a devoted fan, I go digging thru their older pieces during these times. But you never have lulls, at least not since I've been a fan, so I always have my pick of current pieces to consider! *smile*

[Lyn Anderson]

What I post is only a portion of what I write. I do write every day, all day long, in my head and on scraps of paper, and on my phone. My only "lull" was the near year I stayed away from here due to the stress of trolls and mean people coupled with too much stress in my personal life. I kind of got over that, and have managed to block and duck them since I got back. Thank you for the lovely compliment and the ever thoughtful reviews. I have said it before, I am grateful to the universe for seeing fit to connect us.

[barleygirl]

I am also thankful (((HUGS)))

[Lyn Anderson]

I sent you some links via email for some of my snappier more funny and quirky poems. I also have many of a much more serious nature, but I am not in that kind of gut wrench mood to pull those out today.

[barleygirl]

We have all the time in the world to eventually get to all this sharing! *smile*

[Shannon]

OK, first off, attaching "new aged girl", hilarious.
Serious topic for sure, closed mindedness. That being said, tell last five lines... Laugh out loud fun!

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks very much. I had fun with it, though I am sure I have offended the brand of people who view diet as a religion in and of itself.:)

[Einstein Noodle]

love your authors note ..things to be learned on all sides of most issues ... agreeing to disagree is a wonderful thing .. not weakness on either side ..
your poem has one of the best closings i have read ..your point spot on ..as with many "opposites" one can not exist without the other .. well said my friend! moderation in all things is not a bad place to be either ;)
E.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

[Alfred Kukitz]

I often think of the men and women who raise children on products they sell. If it were cocaine or other drugs I would say yes stop but these are hard working good people trying to make an honest living and we should punish them? I think not.

Nice write KL!

Regards,
Al

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you. I kind of think there aren't many controversial subjects I haven't broached in the last bit. I should get back to love poems. :)

[Jon Roggie]

Since I have cooked for a few years, I could have fun with this one. I will restrain myself. Amazing what people will fixate on. Nice one.

[Lyn Anderson]

I wish you would. Write away! Anyhow, there will be no wild dairy cattle. If everyone converts to veganism, there will be no need for livestock, and they will vanish.

[Jon Roggie]

I will have to post a story.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

to each his own....and i wish people would live and let live and leave out the judgment...

but there are always those who want to pin a judgment on somebody.

good write.

j.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thank you. yes, a lot of people live to judge.