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The Holding Pen

Ian Mullins

Sorry, but as you can see
the holding pen is full today.
You’ll have to linger outside,
where our detainees like to cough
and smoke to remind them
of the old days, when the holding pen
was where they led their mothers
and fathers to be gently stunned
and laid down in the grass.
Do you still have the green ticket
we gave you forty years
ago, saying you would need it
one day? Not to worry, your name
will be on our waiting list, along
with everyone else’s. We all
fall ill in the end. Here in the pen
we simply stun you with chemicals
so you’ll think you’re still alive.
It keeps you quiet, and helps
your children complete their
busy lives. But don’t worry,
we won’t leave you to linger.
There are vacancies by the day,
often by the hour. And when
your time comes we’ll shuffle
you off to the abattoir as slowly
as we can. You’re angry now,
but you’ll be grateful in the end.
You may have lived alone, but at least
you’ll die in good company.

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