Comment from --Turtle.

Exceptional

Hey, Craig...

Read through this poem, too.

Strong message and passion portrayed, humanizing life that has been reduced to plastic protected protein.

Awareness and keeping these sentiments to the front of the consciousness makes it easier to abstaine from what easily becomes a defaced meal... far removed from the ugly picture.

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2019

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reply by the author on 16-Jul-2019

Thanks for the great review and delightful rating, Turtle. Coming late to the party means I've a lot of time to make up, so the poor humans will have to put up with my ranting for quite a while yet ;-) Most grateful, as always. Craig

Comment from Pearl Edwards

Excellent

I'm not a vegetarian but these graphic, and I think, heartfelt emotions portrayed in your I Can poem makes me see where others are coming from. The opening verses could easily be cattle and drought. Very emotional write and read Craig,
cheers,
valda

 Comment Written 14-Jul-2019

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reply by the author on 16-Jul-2019

Thanks so much, Valda. Yep, it's heartfelt, glad that comes through :) Cheers, Craig

Comment from SLMorrical

Excellent

A wonderful entry for the contest. This flows well. It is a wonderful I can poem. I can see the older individual remembering what they could do, and what they remember. Well done. Good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 10-Jul-2019

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reply by the author on 10-Jul-2019

Thanks for the very kind words, thoughtful comments and good wishes. All of them are gratefully received. Craig

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Oh for heaven's sake, why do you always have to bring up that shrink-wrapped foam tray. That is just so gross. Does it have blood on it too? Shudder.

This is a very well written poem and on a subject many of us feel most sore about, and that is the brutal slaughter of animals to put on our dinner plate.

Excellent entry into the I Can contest and much luck to you with the Contest Committee.

Gloria

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2019

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2019

It will require more than luck. I would suggest a miracle, but thanks for the good wishes, Gloria :)

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Craig. So I take it you don't eat meat anymore. I can understand it up to a point. For many years now, I only eat chicken, rabbit, and turkey. But most of my meals are fish or vegetarian all through. I liked your poem and the apology you're making. All best. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2019

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2019

Thanks for the kind words, Ulla. Appreciated :) Craig

Comment from Sugarray77

Excellent

Hi Craig... your verse tends to leave a ghoulish aftertaste. I assume you are apologizing to Mother Earth, or the ones that come behind us. A very poignant write for the I Can prompt. Well done.

Melissa

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2019

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2019

Neither, Melissa. I'm apologising for 50 plus years of ignoring the torture and suffering of fellow sentient beings to satisfy my dietary choices. Thanks for reviewing :)

Comment from Y. M. Roger

Excellent

So, can we glean from this offering that you are and have been for some time now, a vegetarian? You've certainly done a great job of writing a wonderful case for such...! ;) ;) Thank you for sharing! :) Yvette

 Comment Written 09-Jul-2019

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reply by the author on 09-Jul-2019

Hi Yvette! Nice to hear from you again. Not long enough... about five or six years now. Thanks for the great comments :) Craig

Comment from catch22

Excellent

Hi Craig, this is a great piece of poetry espousing your reasons for choosing to live a vegetarian lifestyle and reduce your carbon footprint. I have very similar sentiments and identify strongly with this write. I've gone between vegetarianism and veganism over the last few decades. I also have a strong sense of stewardship for the environment and the quality of life for all creatures great and small. Lovely poem.

 Comment Written 08-Jul-2019

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reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019

Glad to hear you've adopted kinder dietary choices too, Pam. Veganism is my ideal, but it's really hard. I've got the milk sorted, but egg and cheese are problematic. I live in the heart of sheep & cattle country, so vegetarian options and dairy free items aren't plentiful in our local grocery stores. Still, they are becoming more so, but it's a battle around here. People think you're threatening their livelihood (which, I guess would be true, if we herbivores ever got a real foothold).

Thanks for the kind and supportive words.

Craig

reply by catch22 on 08-Jul-2019

I struggle with veganism for the same reasons. I cook a lot as a result.

Comment from Dawn Munro

Exceptional

I can't comment other than to say WOW.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Best of luck in the contest, Craig. Stunning work.

 Comment Written 08-Jul-2019

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reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019

Thanks so much for the glowing rating, the incredible comments and the good wishes, Dawn. They have made my morning :) Cheers, Craig

reply by Dawn Munro on 08-Jul-2019

Well earned. You're very welcome.

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I'm still beset by that cry in my heart, oh selfish creature that I am. I think we are all faced with our own lack of compassion, I hate to see children suffer, animals too, but young human beings more. An extraordinarily high amount of children die of unnecessary illnesses, but worse, hunger, a horrid way to die. Well done, a beautifully written free verse, impassioned and articulate, well done. Blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 08-Jul-2019

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reply by the author on 08-Jul-2019

I've seen a number of documentaries on how inefficient it is, not to mention damaging to the planet, to use ever-disappearing land to grow crops to feed to animals to eat their flesh... when those crops could be feed straight to the starving children to whom you refer, Roy. But that's another poem...

Thanks for the kind and supportive words, they're most gratefully received.

Craig

reply by royowen on 08-Jul-2019

Welcome Craig