On Killing Chicks for Study

There's that in me which has to look at death

when I have been accomplice to limp necks

that dangle, the still warm bodies no breath

will ever stir again. A life that ends

is unnatural. The argument: that

they were unintelligent. Quite true. But—

does one measure right to live by I.Q.?

Is pain easier for the stupid? No.

What reason then? To teach us—sacrifice

on the alter of science, mistake here

forgiven quicker than on some other

table. We are able to make jokes. This

sickens me. Downy, dumb, and innocent

they've already given what I cannot make.

 

Copyright © 2002-08 Abigail Hilton