Holsteins grazing the rolling hills
dots of black and white
contented cows
coming to the milking pens
at the appointed times
doing what is expected of them
then returning to graze at their leisure
until the next time.

That’s the way it should be.

But beware of the California Dairy Farmer
keeping the herd in pens
unable to roam
living in dirt in the summer
and mud in the winter
kept in a steel corral
a feed-lot without a slaughter-house
Death-Row without an execution.

When one is sick and unable to perform
it is dragged from the herd
and left to die under the hot sun
alone, in pain, suffering
until death gives it release.

I saw one die and asked why?
“Show some mercy
and give it a bullet or a needle
don’t let it suffer
let it go in peace.”

“Why waste the money?”
the farmer asks,
“It will eventually die
it has done its job
it is of no more use.”

Enjoy your cookies and milk
but ask yourself
Who’s Got Milk?
The California Dairy Farmer?
Beware!

by David Ronald Bruce Pekrul