You aren't going to die
for my wedding. Please
go home that night. You
deserve this for once, to
palm open your children's
bedroom door and let
the hallway light peek
in so they wake just gently.
To lift them up and out from
their nests, set them in their seats,
and bib them. To then spoon
milk into their bellies
until their eyes droop and sleep
returns, tilting their heads
gently back. You deserve this
for once. We will be fine and
the ceremony will cement
without your blood.
I'm a vegan. Please don't be alarmed.
If you don't know about veganism already, it can be easily summed up as "a diet and/or lifestyle that is free of animal products," (my own definition). So, no meat, dairy, eggs, leather, wool, down, or etc.
People adopt veganism for many reasons including, but not limited to environmental consciousness, a sense of spirituality, or socioeconomic concerns. That being said, when some people adopt veganism, a certain sense of superiority may arise. This kind of unfounded condescension only results in further stigmatization and ignorance of the diet/lifestyle and is not helpful or productive.
Despite my personal decision to adopt the diet, I still believe that "to each is their own." I don't want to be lectured or ridiculed for my diet, just like anyone else. But, because of some condescending vegans, many people assume that I will be snobbish or rude because of my diet. I wrote this poem to hopefully remedy some of the ignorance about the motives for veganism and dispel some of the stigma surrounding those who have adopted the diet/lifestyle.
