In a cage where the sun was blocked by steel bars
And my mother a half-starved, tortured little thing
And my sisters and brothers and I, all crying.
And the maggots and rats crawling through our bed
And the sharp, cutting cages stacked three overhead.
And I watched, as one by one, my litter-mates died,
But Mama didn't have enough strength left to cry
And she rested her head on the concrete so cold,
And the life left her as well. She was but four years old.
Then Man came and threw her out into the rain
And left me alone with the weather and my pain.
And when he came back, it was only to kick
Me into a truck with my fleas and my ticks.
The sun was quite bright when we were finally saved
But lo, we were twice in the hands of depraved,
And I saw as another Man, holding his nose,
Took my friends and my family out to be disposed.
He held them down in the water so dirty and dim,
And laughed as the life faded out of them.
And the rest, well, he bathed us and covered our wounds
Hurriedly, for customers were coming in soon.
And you, who know nothing of my fate and past,
You'd be so surprised when I die out like the rest.
And if you even knew, you would buy me still
But you would just be supporting the mill.
So I say-
Though I am afraid, please don't end my plight
Please, do not take me from this unfaltering night
If you leave me here, a dog won't come into the world
Another dog that's wishing for a little boy or girl
And if you leave me here, where there is no day
Please don't feel bad for me; I will die, anyway.
And though the mill will not be stopped in my life or in yours
It will be slowed, and dogs all-round won't live with weeping sores.
One dog won't look through cold, deadened eyes;
One dog won't see an ever-gray sky.
One dog won't live with grief and cruelty;
One dog won't suffer weeks of apathy.
Someday, far from here, there will be light,
Someday, when the mill is gone from sight.
So though you leave me here, without stars or the sun
One day, have hope that the night's over and done. )
