Animal Crimes

A Poem by Sam Freeland

without reasoning

The latest in animal crimes

makes everyone wonder

What happens in the human brain

that takes lives asunder

Surprise is how many react

to the crimes humans can do

They behave without reasoning

we see in some animals too

What happens in an animal brain

is beyond anyone's control

Any animal without reasoning

may cause a tragic toll

For reasoning to be learned

it has to begin in the very young

With continued close mentoring

very thoughtfully begun

Starting with thoughtful mothering

repeated for many years

Until the youth can demonstrate

a love that welcomes tears

Sensitivity to the needs of others

will loving reasoning enhance

The zest for life with reasoning

is never learned by chance

Look around you now to see

the mothered who mentor too

They will be helping others

to be as thoughtful as you

I say you because you read this

and very likely intelligently agree

Now take time for more mentoring

and safer humans we all will be