Slaughterhouse Education - pipTalk Forums

How to Join	Member's Area	Private Library	Search	Sanctuary		Login
Main Forums	Discussion	Tech Talk	Mature Content	Archives	A home without a wall, Our haven without ends, A circle we all call Our Family of Friends!

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

0 posted 2009-05-27 06:56 PM

On hot summer afternoons,
the slaughterhouse’s odor
of cooked blood and offal
lured us like siren calls
to dark brutal pleasures
within its dank dirty walls.

Monday was cow-killing day,
we gathered on the killing floor
to see the human grace
of the strong half-naked killer
with too early lifeless eyes
perform his heavy labor.

Steady legs straddled the killing chute
the killer stood tall and straight,
his body glistening with sweat and blood,
a heavy, bloody, flesh-flecked sledgehammer
gripped firmly in work-scarred hands,
he stood waiting to do his job.

A cow whip-driven to the chute
he swung the sledge over his head,
brought it down with a deadly score.
The animal dropped, dropped like lead
first twitching on the blood slicked floor
then thrashing as its life spark fled.

The killer never seemed to overly dwell
on his fate if he missed his mark.
No sign of panic crossed his brow;
dully he stared with hard gray eyes.
Thoughtless of the looming danger,
he looked savage death in the face.

Thrilled by his bold unerring skill
and his sullen dark demeanor,
we stood in rapt admiration.
He was our hero, brave and bold.
We wanted to be just like him.
A cold hearted killing-machine.

After his working day was done,
we would join him while walking home.
He would share us a smoke or two,
before leaving us on the street,
then kiss his young wife, new baby;
have a meatless meal, beans and rice.

In pretty things, there is such bliss.
Real beauty is in a loving kiss.

Bobby

Bloodline
Member

since 2009-05-23

Posts 236
Oklahoma

1 posted 2009-05-27 08:04 PM

The everyday chores of life seem
brutal, yet where would we be
if not for those willing to get
it done, a welcome kiss is sure
reward enough, thoroughly enjoyed,

Bloodline

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

2 posted 2009-05-27 08:25 PM

Thanks dear Bloodline,

What you say is true. After sixty some years, I still idolize that kid/man with the sledgehammer. Without guys like that us meat fans would be hungry.

Bobby

viking_metal
Senior Member

since 2007-02-02

Posts 1337
In a Jeep, Minnesota.

3 posted 2009-05-28 11:25 AM

You're wicked cool, Bobby.

It's cool to see a non-bones poem, I'm glad you put this up for me. I really enjoyed it. Life - the real deal.

-P

Everyone deserves to be loved, even you.

Osprey
Member

since 2009-04-12

Posts 249

4 posted 2009-05-28 11:53 AM

Don't get me wrong, I'm a bones fan, but post more of this.
As kids we used to watch the slaughterman, though there were no sledge hammers. Just a metal clamp to hold the beast's head, and a retractable bolt through the brain. I wouldn't care to witness that today(we were boys then, and that was boys)but I still eat steak. If he went home to a vegetarian meal, I can understand.
A poem out of the top drawer, Bobby.

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

5 posted 2009-05-28 01:19 PM

Thanks Paul,

I'm pleased that you enjoyed the poem. Thanks for the kind words on the poem.

Bobby

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

6 posted 2009-05-28 01:24 PM

Thanks Osprey,

This took place more than sixty years ago. Our neighborhood slaughter house, and meat packing plant was a little low tech back then.

This is about Bones too.

Bobby

WTBAKELAR

Senior Member

since 2008-09-09

Posts 1089
Utah, USA

7 posted 2009-05-28 05:12 PM

Bobby,  I was pleasantly surprised to read something of your youth.   Ironic to go from Bones to Meat.
This is interesting to me, My Step Father was a butcher. During Dear hunting season, Him and my Mom would set up processing for the hunters.  He held the record for the fastest Dear skinner for a long time.  He could outskin the skinning machine. He was on the news and everything. Funny thing, he never went hunting.

This is a a very good write.  much enjoyed.
Tracey.

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

8 posted 2009-05-28 09:06 PM

Thanks Tracey,

Thanks for the kind words on the write. I'm pleased that it worked for you.

Bobby

fmlbarebackrider2001
Member

since 2005-11-16

Posts 138
West Texas, United States

9 posted 2009-06-01 11:37 AM

lol I'm pretty sure if people knew how the beef made it to their plate the meat market would fall.

"Not everyone can be heros. Someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they pass by." Will Rogers

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

10 posted 2009-06-01 02:38 PM

Thanks dear Fmlbarebackrider2001,

Given the common attention span, perhaps for a few minutes—I love beef.

Love Bobby

Billie Cullimore
Member

since 2009-03-27

Posts 315

11 posted 2009-06-02 01:59 AM

Dear "Bones" or Bobby

I have to answer both you and Tracey (as you know Tracey is my son) My late husband was a meat cutter, once I ask him how he could be a butcher when he loved animals as much as he did. He very indignatly said "I am a meat cutter not a butcher, I would not go out on that killing floor for nobody." He did not go hunting for the same reason
He loved his horse and his dogs and kids. (and me I hope)

I am enjoying learning about your younger days, keep up the good work.

Billie C.

Robert E. Jordan
Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-25

Posts 8541
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

12 posted 2009-06-02 01:07 PM

Thanks dear Billie C.,

I'm glad that you are enjoying my poems about growing up.

Thanks for the kind words.

Love Bobby

	⇧ top of page ⇧
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.