They go in different ways.
One hog is stationed at the far end
of the pen to decoy the others,
the hammer knocks the cow
to his knees,
the sheep goes gentle
and unsuspecting
Then the chain is locked
around the hind leg
and the floor descends
from under them
Head down they hang
The great drum turns
the helpless objects
and conveys them slowly
to the butcher waiting
at his station.
The sheep is stabbed
behind the ear.

Gentle sheep, I am powerless
to mitigate your sorrow
Men no longer weep
by the rivers of Babylon
but I will speak for you.
If I forget you, may my eyes
lose their Jerusalem.