Foot and Mouth

Burnt flesh hung in my mouth,

tears streaming not clear from the smoke

or from the sight of hundreds piled high.

Not just livestock.

 

I could hear the shots ringing out

One after another.

We dragged the carcasses to the fire

One after the other.

 

Blood, dirt and sweat clung to our faces,

guilt ridden and tired.

My woollen jumper ruined.

What had we done.