Innocence is a litter of puppies
Boxed and left beside the trash can
Their very existence treated as disposable
Their confused and scared whimpers go unheeded
Its not their fault their purebred mother mated with a strange mutt
How can anyone look into their eyes
And walk away without feeling guilt or grief?

Innocence is a litter of kittens
Dumped off on the side of the highway
They’re so young, their lives barely begun
Their mother no longer answers their cries
Their only crime was to be born
How can anyone look into their eyes
And turn away from the trust and love offered?

Innocence is the young dog
Hunting season is over, his work is done
He finds himself chained to the backyard tree
Nowhere to go but an endless circle
He whines and barks his question, ‘what did I do wrong?’
How can anyone look into his eyes
And not see the desperate sadness and loneliness?

Innocence is the adult cat
Suddenly cast into a strange cage at the pound
Huddled in fear and confusion
Bereft of the only home she has ever known
Abandoned by those she loved and trusted
How can anyone look into her eyes
And not feel the hurt and betrayal?

Innocence is the adult dog
Standing quietly in the pound kennel
His face intent on the door in the far end
Listening and waiting in vain for familiar footsteps
That will not come to take him away from death row
How can anyone look into his eyes
And not see hope die as his time grows short?

Innocence is needlessly being destroyed
By irresponsibility, cruelty and apathy
By erosion of sacrosanct reverence for life
They have no voice in which to speak in their defense
All they ever wanted was our love
How can anyone look into their eyes
And not see our own souls reflected there?

©L. Kupfer
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