Poetry With A Mission



...a thought provoking poetical exercise.

It's Weaning Time

When mothers feed their baby with the milk that's stored in each breast,
They’re doing what is natural, giving baby what is best.
For their milk’s designed for babies that are human and brand-new,
And not for other creatures, for that would be acting askew.

It’s the same with cow’s milk, as it’s just for them, not you or I,
And likewise, it’s just for babies — calves, that is; to clarify.
It makes them big and heavy, somewhat plump, and ungainly too,
But such is quite okay for cows that just mill about and moo.

Hence why I can’t help but wonder why it is that you and I,
And each time we do our shopping, those litres of cow’s milk buy.
We drink it down with gusto, and give it to our youngsters too,
When it’s only meant for calves, who, just for a while such pursue.

Yes, even cows don’t drink it, as it’s just for calves, naturally,
Thus, it appears that cows have more sense, act more logically.
And hence why all their teats are placed way down at the udder end,
For cows know instinctively that it’s not for them; nor you, friend.

So, why are we drinking such, as it’s hardly the thing to do,
Given it’s cross-species nursing when we’re consuming it too?
Other creatures don’t do this — no, it’s simply humans that do,
Seemingly unaware such is biologically askew.

Therefore, is it any wonder that we suffer like we do,
When we consume this liquid, and in such great quantity too,
For it just irritates and clogs, causes allergies as well,
And as for pasteurized milk — it can be rotting, yet not smell.

Yes, dairy products aren’t cool, are best not eaten as a rule,
For they’re certainly a health risk, and one that’s not miniscule.
It’s sad that we really love them, for this love affair can harm,
And hence why I hope that this poem will inform you and alarm.

Those ice-creams, pavlovas, milk puddings, cream cakes and cheesecakes,
Those flavoured milk drinks, cheese soufflés, quiches, omeletts and milkshakes,
Those dairy products in cooking, be such sweet things or savouries,
Are all prime contributors to obesity and heart disease.

Oh yes, you love them, don’t you? — and admittedly, so do I,
In fact, I’ll tell you a secret: I love cream with apple pie.
But consumed over time, and especially in quantity,
These dairy products will injure until it’s fait accompli.

Yes, it’s all sludge that won’t budge, for it just loves your arteries,
And it multiplies over time until you ache, wheeze and sneeze.
You see, we were never meant to have what is meant for baby cows,
But only what’s meant for humans -- oops, did I raise some eyebrows?

By Lance Landall