The simple life: Talking to myself

Friday, 24 September 2004

Footprints of a Terrorist/Life and Death:

This morning I found the footprints of the terrorist that killed my little chickens. A little dog print. I knew there would be prints. Mr. Mr., Worthless, Princess and her two chicks, and Blondie are gone to chicken heaven, victims of a terrorist. Princess went down fitting, protecting her chicks. Her body was across the field by the fence no doubt flying in the face and attacking the predator. Her chicks were dead in the barn, along with Blondie who looked like a cloudy evening sunset. Her beautiful crowned golden head and throat softened into a strawberry blond color on her chest that blended into soft grey at the fluffy tail. Mr. Mr. my proud and beautiful arracana rooster lay in the barn yard along with Worthless, like war victims. Such a waste.

The same afternoon while in the garage I hear peep, peep and there is snow princess with her two cute, cute chicks. This morning peeking out from under rosie is a little black chick. Life goes on, the new replaces the old and the cycle of life continues.

I read a blog the other day at http://www.thepelican.motime.com/ about the will to live and death. It made me stop to think about life and it's meaning. My little chickens are up at dawn like me scratching and scurrying , calling out to the day. By mid day they have found a shady spot like me to hang out till it cools, late afternoon they are out darting here and there and scratching before sunset when they settle down for the night. During the day, one or two hens will lay an egg or there will be a hen setting or tending chicks. They don't wonder about the purpose of life they just do it with joy and when it's over it's over. They are not couch potato's , wasting life away in front of a tv or game boy . They don't live to be entertained. We can learn from their industriousness and balance. They live with the seasons and adjust to their bodily needs. They have social lives, scurrying about with their favorite companions. You do not see them taking more than they need and they replenish the earth with their refuse and scratching. They have meaningful lives. Chickens are staple livestock in poor rural areas. I think of my little aracana laying her beautiful blue eggs everyday. More than I eat so I set them in baskets or under other hens. Productive, thrifty, useful.

I wonder about humans, with their drugs, alcohol, gangs, etc and we count all their lives as precious but are so lacking in concern for the lives of other creatures who live productive lives. ????????? Something to wonder about. Something to wonder about for sure. Humans have the capacity for greed, animals do not except to get full and then it is enough.

Ah, life. For now I am happy to live simply with enough.

Posted by: cactusandquail at 16:45 | link | comments (3)

Comments:

#1 24 September 2004 - 18:08

I am so sorry about your "babies". I know that they were so important to you! I hope that the new babies will grow and somewhat ease the pain.

And yes, we are a very selfish civilization. It is sad. So many people are just here for the thrills, it seems, or are wasting times seeking them.