flesh and bone and sinew taut
once moving parts, now a thought
biology class lays them all out
reveals the secrets we have sought
does an animal have a soul?
a mind to think, a brain that’s whole?
a heart to love ‘till it grows old-
until the dice of fate did roll
now my sweet animal does lie fresh
amid the stench of rotting flesh,
a pin through his hands splay him out
a drop of water baptised devout
jesus on the cross for all to see
a symbol of hope i shall make him be
for even in death to some degree
he could live again or perhaps just be
does an animal have a soul?
a mind to think, a brain that’s whole?
a heart to love ‘till he grows old-
till the dice of fate did roll
thus we arrive with solemn grace
to slice and study every space
my holy friend has lost his face
reduced to parts in this dark place