Without Thought or Heart

why I ask would anyone steal
a two months old donkey
away from its mother’s nurture

away from the safety of its
surroundings and the supply of
milk essential for a life

leaving behind a much distressed
mare clearly suffering and
traumatized by her grief

unable to eat or enjoy the
spring sunshine on a day that
children too will be disappointed

that the little star of their visit
has disappeared without trace
and cast a shadow of sadness

on the knowledge that without
the nutrients from maternal milk
the foal’s survival is threatened

it’s little heart will cease to beat
a life hardly started will stop
not that a heartless thief will care

not that they have a brain to think
or a conscience to prick them
they simply do not care a jot

Reviews

[AYVID N]

My heart winces for the baby and for the mother. This is pain in the truest sense. Your words remind us how cruel this world can be and how much we are needed to reach out and make a difference whenever we can. This poem hits all the right places, dear Chris and though it hurts, it must be written about, read and discussed. Kudos!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Divya. Yes it is a poem that hurts anyone with a heart. A reminder that the world we live in is cruel when babies are taken from mothers. So good to have you back dear friend. 🌺

Chris

[AYVID N]

I'm thrilled to be back. Have a great day, my friend.

[andrew mitchell]

Shows our worst evil side which seems to prevail over our good.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Andrew. There are alot of cruel people about sadly.

Chris

[andrew mitchell]

I want to be judge and jury.

[Neville]

.. I suspect this is a ;local issue Chris but nevertheless, I can understand why you felt compelled to respond thusly in a poem .. indeed, you just reminded me why I am so often ashamed of my own species ... mindless thugs .. we kenshi call it mushin

Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks my friend. Not too far away. Apparently a £10.000 reward has been anon. offered for the return of Moon, the little foal. I doubt that will make a difference. The video of the foal’s mother running around in circles looking for her and braying in the most distressing way was heart breaking to watch. You’ll have to tell me what mushin is :)

Chris

[Neville]

mushin is difficult to translate literally but means without mind or mindless, senseless, no vision or ability to think strategically and consider consequences .. as opposed to zanshin or all round vision, clarity blah de blah de blah ... I hope this all ends well for Moon :)

Neville

[John the Baptist]

Has the sound of an actual occurrence. A true sociopath does not care about the feelings of a fellow human being, let alone those of an animal. I like to think we're evolving, but sometimes I wonder.

[Chris Shaw]

Sadly John it is an event which has taken place. The video of the mare braying loudly, running around in circles looking for her foal was distressing to watch. Some people are completely heartless. Thanjs fir your response.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I am with Light on this one. I really hate people sometimes.
This is just so inhumane.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

It is inhumane dear J. Some people just act like monsters. I find the ill treatment of animals really upsetting. Many thanks fir your thoughts.

Chris

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

a really sad look at what some humans do for entertainment without regard to the effect on the animal kingdom.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dale. I detest the inhumane treatment of animals and this was one of those incidents. A sorry state if affairs. I appreciate you stopping by.

Chris

[light and ashes]

Wow, how messed up.
I really hate people sometimes.
It isnt fair, and it isnt right.
In situations like this, everything in me cries out that there should be justice!
Anger surges through my being.
Unfortunately, there is not a damn thing that you or I could do about this.

I suppose, that there will be a time of Justice for us all, but it is not now.

Things like this deeply bother me, and obviously you too....
Aquarius and Pisces are highly empathic signs.

Good writing, feelings I can relate to..
makes me kind of angry,
but I seem to be angry a lot with the World lately, so what's new.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Light and Ashes for the considered thought you have given this poem. Sadly some people are plain evil. It makes me angry too. I appreciate very much you responding to this sad poem. Have a Good Friday.

Chris

[light and ashes]

I have known too many evil people, and what it is even worse is that they didn't seem like evil people.
You wouldn't know unless you knew.

It's a crazy World out there. A scary one..
but you can't give up on the light. None of us can.

Be blessed.
May you find much light and beauty in the World today, my very kind friend.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you 🌹

[light and ashes]

You are so very welcome.

[willweb]

Some people are just evil, there is nothing else to say. Life to them does not matter in any form. This made me cry...I can't believe people can be so cruel.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear will. Sadly you are right. Sorry if these words made you cry. I watched the video if the mare running around in circles, braying loudly, looking for her foal. Now that did break my heart. Thank you so much fir the thoughts you have shared on my page.

Chris

[Patricia Wedel]

So sad… Chris… your poetry is like a Wind that took heart 💜 and soul from Mother and Child.
I knew someone who had Pet Donkeys who was like St. Francis of Assisi. God’s Creatures have a place in our ♥️ Heart. Amen… Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks dear Pat. I can’t stand the ill treatment of animals and this episode that made the news over here, was one that touched me particularly. I hope all is well with you and yours. Sending love across the waves. 🌹

Chris

[Ansal]

Really appreciate the idea, Chris!
The plight of animals, towards which humans are pretty inhumane, is a theme really close to my heart. It pains me, every-time to witness the cruelty those innocent beings are subjected to. This poem serves as a poignant commentary on the inhumanity that exists in the world, here, targeted against animals. The sense of loss and disruption that ensues, with regards to both the mother and the little donkey is really heart-wrenching. Loved the way the poem does justice to each possible emotional facet. Have a good day!

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Ansal. Your thoughts here echo my own. I hate the inhumane treatment of animals. I also watched a video of the mare running around in circles, braying and crying out for her stolen foal. Broke my heart it did. I very much appreciate your response. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[Ansal]

My pleasure reading your work! Have a nice day, too.