Repentance of the battery hen
63
It's not a nice life as a battery hen,
all of the time spent cooped up in a pen.
Cold and uncomfortable, with air that reaks,
you do have companions but they cut off their beaks.
It's not a nice life, the hours are long,
no rest on a Sunday - what did you do wrong?
crouching there still, never seeing the sun,
it must have been grave, this crime that you've done.
But when did you sin? You can hardly recall,
you've been in this prison ever since you were small.
If you'd strength to reflect, you surely would find,
some grievous offence carried out on Mankind.
Egg after egg, you don't want to lay,
someone else is deciding - you don't have a say.
There must be a God - that must be the cause,
that your whole existence is no longer yours.
But tired as you are, you still cannot lie,
no rest for the wicked - that must be why.
There are creatures on earth that need not have love,
it's decided that way by the powers above.
But you shouldn't complain, you're not on your own,
there's others around with sins to atone.
they made a mistake and now they must strife,
for having been born so low down in life.
By living their days, a life without sun,
they're purging their souls of what they have done.
But next time they'll know - if they live again,
to never be born a battery hen.
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It is a sad, pathetic situation. Corporate farming borders on evil and is responsible for many atrocities in the name of profit.
Im no expert on poetry but you made a great effort, it rhymes and it flows well done. I used to have a pet hen, so it's nice you care about them.
Thank you so much for your encouragement! I actually wrote the first two lines when I was nine and then lost it - I suddenly felt like doing a new version.
Now, can anyone direct me to some real poetry?
Take a look at Cris A
Thanks! I'll take a butchers (oops, shouldn't really say that after that poem)
this is above good for a novice ....cheers!
You are very good! Poor hens - I buy those cage-free eggs and still feel guilty. It was best when I had my own raised from baby chicks - it was fun, too. The hens each had their own personality and the rooster we kept was a real dude! If I ever get a chance I will raise them again. Thanks for this great and revealing poem.
I know what you mean about chickens - we had them when I was little and spent hours just observing them. It sounds boring to a lot of people but they are so fascinating.
Hi Apricot
Nice poem. I am a published poet and writer, The best advice I can give you is what I mention in my book. Poetry is for me emotions taken from my head put onto paper for the reader to read and transfer them back into their emotions. Its a tool like a painter you have to have alot of colours and then create a few more. No matter what grade your poetry is you can be sure that it is always unique to you and part of you that no one else could have created the same way.
Finally always remember that Rhyming takes alot of talent and never use words that fit to rhyme rather use the rhyme to carry words that matter. We all learn every day no one is a Poet in full they area always serving their time learning but can use the title. :)
Regards Colin T Mercer
Wow! A real poet - thank you for reading!
Excellent do-over, Apricot. And here I went and bought eggs at the store today. Maybe I should do one about Refrigerator Eggs....:D
I truly enjoyed this. It really is sad to be born only to serve the purpose of another being. Thank you for a great and thought-provoking poem, apricot.
Did you know that there are at least 3 chickens for every human being on the planet?
As a chicken enthusiast I thought this was just delightful to read.
Made me reflect about life and the questions that we too ask! Hmmmm...
Congratulations Apricot! Fly into the Hubnugget sky with joy for you are a Hubnugget Wannabe! Yes, this hub has been nominated. Click this link to see it: http://hubpages.com/_hubnuggets10/hub/October-Sky- Be sure to vote and promote! Enjoy!
Good luck on the nomination! I can't believe I made the list too!
I think you have talent writing poetry. Good luck in the contest!
This is one of the better ones on here. I like poetry that has form, and a unique thought.
Great hub and poetry. I voted for it in the HubNugget Roundup.
He lives the poetry that he cannot write. The others write the poetry that they dare not realize. Congrats on the nomination.
Powerful and thought-provoking piece. Congratulations on your HubNuggets nomination.
GooD poem
Congratulations on your nomination! Great hub, btw, and there are a pile of poets on Hub Pages. Let's hear it for buying eggs from free-range chickens!
Congrats! I am an animal activist and I know they do suffer. I have wanted to buy them from those people, even 2 or 3. I would have to keep them in my bathroon, oh well.
The plight of the chickens for food is no better, probably worse. For any food animal it is worse.
Keep it up!!!!
GracieLinda
Congrats on your win! I love this hub!
Thanks girls!!!
I'm a chicken lover, and I think you've got right to the point with your poem. I've just written a hub on caring for ex-battery hens, and when I was doing the research I couldn't believe the way these hens are treated, I just hope these farms get shut down soon. A great hub!
I love a poem that rhymes! Good job. and Congratulations
I love a poem that rhymes! Good job. and Congratulations
Nice poem. Those pictures tell the story.
Very thought provoking prose. Thanks for putting out this information. If the hens knew, they'd thank you. Congrats on your nomination!
Wow. I'm speechless. This was excellent.
Thanks for speaking so eloquently on the bird's behalf... Chickens are really wonderful beings - if only everyone knew!
Very powerful way to get across your point!
poetlorraine 2 years ago
poor creature. The fact you feel for them enough to notice their plight and write about it, is poetic..... It rhymes it makes sense,,,, i likes it a lot