The crowd, having hushed up
Shivered and roused itself
Cheered and crowed.
The man paid no heed
Took the bayonet to the office
Looked up the going price for heads
Asked them to take it from his pay.
He waited until everyone was gone-
The crowd, the vet
Even his cronies
Then fork-lifted the carcass
Onto his pick-up
And drove home.
Never to return
Never to count live animals
For slaughter.