Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

The slaughter of the lambs in springtime is a horrific thing to contemplate (as with all food animals). They do not cry out, but they are aware. They are sentient creatures, not given the respect of their purpose. I pray mercifully their death is quick. As an animal rights advocate, our treatment of animals is why I am vegetarian. Your poem is heart-wrenching. Marilyn

 Comment Written 31-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 31-Mar-2018

I'm glad you are a vegetarian, Marilyn. And your decision is based on the horrendous treatment they receive, and that is also perfectly right. From what I read into your comments, I presume that you think if animals could somehow be "dispatched" without pain and fear, then there wouldn't be an issue because their "purpose" is to be our food. This is a point of difference, because I don't believe animals were made to fill our stomachs. Sorry if I've misunderstood, and either way, vegetarianism is the proper action :) Craig

reply by BeasPeas on 31-Mar-2018

Hi Craig. No, I don't think it's okay even if animals are more humanely dispatched. Nothing could be more frightening or horrible than to be raised as a food source. I wish everyone was vegetarian, but realistically I know we cannot force anyone to do or not to do anything. You take any topic--if anyone dares to suggest a different way of doing something, even for something minor, there is a big stink about it. In this day and age, however, at least find a more humane method of execution. These animals are well aware they are being led to slaughter. It's horrific for them and the height of barbarism. What's more, they are abused their whole lifetime from birth to death. It's appalling. Marilyn

Comment from --Turtle.

Exceptional

Nice job with this poem, strong imagery. I like the circle around, using lambs to the slaughter as a figurative and literal, to put emphasis on the literal via emotional response to the figurative.

The flow and breaks of line's ... even though you kept stable punctuation on top of the more artistic breaks, gave the freestyle emphasis to certain words in an artistic way.

Well done with this poem.

 Comment Written 30-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018

Thanks very much for the great review and the "exceptional" rating, Turtle. It occured to me just before I wrote this (maybe as a result of reading a few of many the Easter poems), that the allegorical use of the phrase receives plenty of attention, especially around this time of year, while the literal meaning goes pretty much ignored. Most grateful, Craig

Comment from bichonfrisegirl

Excellent

I wonder how many people are having lamb for their Easter dinner this weekend? After reading this, one thinks twice about what will end up on their plate.

Your free verse poem paints a grim picture of what happens every day, Craig. It's something that we rarely think about ... all of the animals slaughtered for human consumption. It makes me want to become a vegetarian.

"In their nostrils,
the scent of death;
in their eyes,
panic." ... very powerful image!

"Aceldama" ... Thanks for teaching us another new word, Craig. ~~ Connie

 Comment Written 30-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018

I believe the seafood sales will be skyrocketing, as they do every Easter. Great if you're a lamb, not so much if you're an octopus.

Thanks for the fine review, Connie :)

Craig

reply by bichonfrisegirl on 30-Mar-2018

LOL

Comment from Cindy McIntyre

Excellent

Very intense and full of such descriptive words. Thank you for adding the Bible verse that accompanies your poem. I love the introduction, "like the carpenter's son, for a hand for of silver."

 Comment Written 30-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 30-Mar-2018

Thanks very much, Cindy. Much appreciated - craig

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Uh oh, I got the feeling right off this is about our four footed lambs with trotters being led off to the slaughter. Can you imagine the horror? Oh wait, that's exactly what you are doing.

This is a brilliant poem, Craig. Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide and not something expected either. Ugh.

Great job for sure.

Gloria

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018

Thanks so much, Gloria. I guess this weekend, in this country at least, a few less of them will meet their doom - albeit at the expense of a lot of fish, crabs and other ocean critters. Oh well. Much appreciation, Craig

Comment from tfawcus

Excellent

A poem that weaves the Easter story skillfully into this explanation of Aceldama, as those poor little lambs are transported to the abattoir. A field of blood indeed. Better to live off the sheep's back than off the lamb chop.

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018

I'm glad that you picked up the intent here, Tony - which was to turn the analogy back on itself. Many thanks for the kind review. Craig

Comment from Lloyd T. Okoko

Excellent

A lucidly written work that reminisces the day to day happenings in Aceldama.

The work highlights the strings of people slated for slaughter, how they get disposed off, with yet another set waiting for their turn to be slaughtered.

The work earns its texture through the use of similes, metaphor, irony and imagery.

Excellent work! Keep the flag flying!

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018

Thank you very much for the kind words, and thoughtful review. Craig

reply by Lloyd T. Okoko on 30-Mar-2018

Remain Blessed!

Comment from Sugarray77

Excellent

The verse was well constructed and flowed beautifully. I would mention that I read it twice and still couldn't get a point of reference as to who was being slaughtered, was it actual lambs? Just wondering.

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018

I probably made it more ambiguous than I might have, but yes, you are correct - it is actual lambs. The idea was to turn the metaphor back around on itself. Usually, on this day, we liken a human sacrifice to an animal one. I tried to do it in reverse. I'm not sure whether a little ambiguity, or room for interpretation is a bad thing or not. Many thanks for the thoughtful review. Craig

Comment from Dolly'sPoems

Excellent

This is a scary field and I don't think I shall be visiting soon, your poem tells the story and has a chilling outcome, a new word I have learned today, love Dolly x

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018

No, I'm not planning on visiting my local abattoir any time soon either, Dolly. Thanks for your continued support in reviewing my poems, it's really appreciated - Cheers, Craig :)

Comment from Debbie Pope

Excellent

Well done. I particularly like in their nostrils the scent of death, in their eyes panic. And the reference to Jesus. You certainly did this word justice. You made me feel the bloodshed. Are we the lambs being led to slaughter? Who is leading us?

 Comment Written 29-Mar-2018

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reply by the author on 29-Mar-2018

Thanks for the kind review, Debbie. We are not the lambs in this instance, although it certainly could be interpreted that way. In an odd twist, the lambs are actually lambs - real lambs. So I've used a metaphor to describe the actual thing. Much appreciated - Craig.