POETRY: Of Gods and Men
The older I am
The less interested I am
In the petty affairs of men
And the more
I love Earth
And all her other creatures
And systems and seasons…
Browsing: Culture
POETRY: Gaia
Earth’s green skin is velvet today
With the mist on it
Crushed velvet with her children’s pawprints
…
Pope Francis, condemn the bullfight
Pope St. Pius V described bullfights as “a spectacle for demons rather than men.” As a practicing Catholic, I am saddened to say that the moral aspect of our treatment of other creatures is a part of Catholic teaching that our Catholic leaders have long neglected. Pope Francis is trying to put that right. Let’s take advantage of that and ask him to condemn bullfighting.
POETRY: Gaia Warrior
Come on, Gaia,
Fight back
With your floods, fire, and mighty winds
Reveal
For an instant
The magnitude of your wrath…
Evolving An Ethical Response to Mice and Rats
Innocuous as individual mice and rats appear to be, and as easily befriended as they often are, they remain collectively an authentic menace to human health and agriculture. There is much we must understand if humans are to evolve a less violent coexistence with these creatures, who share virtually every human dwelling, place of business, and site of food production or preparation.
Disney’s ‘Zootopia,’ An Evolution in Animal Fables
Stories featuring anthropomorphic animals have been a staple of human culture for millennia, but Disney’s new animated film stands out from the herd by depicting animals not just as stand-ins for humans, but unique sentient beings with interests and value of their own.
Danger For Muslims Who Protest Animal Sacrifice
Egyptian writer Fatima Naoot has been sentenced to three years in prison for “insulting Islam” by criticizing the Eid al-Adha animal sacrifice. Yet there are many devout Muslims who argue against the Eid slaughter as contrary to their religion’s true values.
LETTER: Asia for Animals calls on Shanghai Circus World to cancel training school for macaques
Asia for Animals calls on Shanghai Circus World to cancel plans for a macaque training school and phase out the use of animals in its performances, relying instead on human skill and acrobatics to build its reputation.
The Curious Case of the Kitty Known As Elrond
A paraplegic cat adopted from Egypt, Elrond was originally named Rania in the belief that he was a girl. Recently I have come to wonder if Elrond might not be female in some sense after all.
POETRY: Benedictus
Unveil that face
That gave us Dominion
To kill and conquer and burn
Whose hymns of praise
Are sung from books
That are bound in blood and skin.
…
Ecofable: The Laws of the Earth
Once, long ago, the peoples of the Earth worshiped the animals. They perceived them to be magical creatures, supernatural beings, full of light, and Mystery. Their beauty was a source of inspiration and the people sought to emulate animals…
POETRY: River
River of ice
River of sky,
River awakening
Swollen with meltwater
Blind stirrings in your weed-green belly.
…