Spilled Milk

When I see milk spilled on the table,

another glass overturned,

I think of all the cows who labor in vain.

So many tons of forage spent,

so many udders filling and emptying,

forest after forest

stripped for paper cartons,

the wax from millions of candles melting…

A broad sheet of milk spills across

the tables of the world,

and this child stands

with a sopping sponge in his hand,

saying he never meant to do it.