Animal Freedom

Animal Freedom A Christmas walk in soft sun of winter Across crisp fields of umber and green, A sharp breeze blowing with freedom On their faces, aglow with the hope Of seeing one again – a bird; their bird, Soaring and diving defiantly so. The eagle. Powerful, swift and so Free. Wings outstretched on currents of winter Warmth, rising higher than any other bird. It’s golden feathers shimmering over green Hills and clear blue skies, in the hope Of spying prey, running in a last bid for freedom. They looked and walked and talked in freedom, Enjoying the country lanes and paths in so Carefree a manner; such a rich land of hope, Bursting with creatures alive in the winter Meadows: robins, rabbits, hares, a green Woodpecker, and many a chattering bird. They paused to rest and listen to bird Song and breeze, relishing in the freedom At the heart of nature, so fresh and green; When suddenly, they saw a bush shaking so Violently. They stopped and stared, the winter Wind? Too strong. They watched in hope Of seeing something curious, or in the hope Of discovering if this at last was their bird, Hunting untamed in the wilds of winter. They approached, careful not to intrude on the freedom Of the wild, but all they could see was a fluttering so Urgent, flapping wings, a rubbed-raw leg, a thread of green. A blackbird was trapped on a branch by green String; frantic, desperate panic, yet hope Shone in its eyes, pleadingly so. They spoke softly, carefully untying the bird, Which flew off to the wind in a cry of freedom. They felt proud, liberated, in a wonderland of winter. They ran home for dinner of green sprouts and festive roast bird; Bred in darkness and stench, no hope of daylight or freedom. Incarcerated, deformed, wounded so bad, in a long-hardened winter. Spare a thought for your turkey this Christmas…