Fein, Richard

United States, (contemporary)

Porcine Principle

  1. Love and trust were carefully fostered,
  2. and her security seemed lifelong, and it was.
  3. I’m talking about hogs, this sow specifically,
  4. one of the cleverer of the cleverest mammals.
  5. Well fed and watered, patted, never struck,
  6. but none of this was for free.
  7. All part of the bargain, a fair one at that.
  8. Payment became due.
  9. Hind legs trussed and hoisted heavenward,
  10. an upside down ascension.
  11. A revelation of disillusionment occurred,
  12. if it occurred at all,
  13. when the blade gleamed sharp against her belly.
  14. If sorrow stung then
  15. it lasted for only the length of a squeal.
  16. Hold on to fantasies,
  17. the longer they’re held, the shorter the grief.
  18. But not to worry, I’m only talking about hogs.

© Richard Fein. Used with permission.

About the Poet

Richard Fein (aka: bardofbyte), US poet, lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. He has a fondness for fish, photography, and writing poetry. Richard has been published in many places, both on the net and in print. Some of the print journals are: Kansas Quarterly, Mississippi Review, Oregon East, Small Pond, and Sulphur River Literary Review. [DES-6/03]

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