Monday 18 November 2019


Things We Do to People and Dogs

by Elise Stuart


Why do we
collar
cage
handcuff
straitjacket
sterilize
shock
lynch
castrate
torture?
It starts with the great worthlessness,
not knowing our own light,
then keeping others in the dark
so they won’t find out how weak,
how afraid . . .
It comes from believing
we are not connected.
Cruelty
feeds the insanity.
Fear
poisons the blood.
Cut their hair off
Cut their tails off
control
punish
dominate
break . . .
This feeds the lie that
we are enemies
not brothers.
We unravel
that rope of hate
each time
we break down a door
to speak our truth.


* * * * *

Elise Stuart is a poet and short story writer. After leaving Phoenix, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Stamford, Connecticut behind, she was drawn and held by New Mexico’s brilliant light and blue skies.  Passionate about giving voice to young people, she works with youth in the area, giving poetry workshops, a project she began when she was Poet Laureate of Silver City. When she is not teaching piano, dancing, or hiking with her dog, Tomás, she is at work on a new book of poetry.

1 comment:

  1. Heartfelt and true, yet the Paleo pulse continues to throb.

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