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.