i had never understood

what it was like

to take a life

it was unfair, that was that

in my eyes

yet, now that i am a part of this system

i see

why we do this

to the doe that is riddled with disease

to the infant who will not stop crying

after his lungs

have given out

to the lovers forbidden to love

we spare them

from being born together

again

they do not feel it

the taking of a soul

is something very gentle

the touch of a mother

the heat of a puff from a tiny sigh

a cry amidst

a long

winter’s night

until it is over

silent

filled with sorrow

something we loathe

yet yearn for all the same

in the ancient mist

i revel

i revel

until i am born

again