Whalemeat ( Kujira, is the Japanese word for whale).

Many years ago, while protesting outside the International Whaling Commission at Brighton, I met two Japanese whalers. Being a Buddhist, I asked them how they could condone the killing of whales (they were also both Buddhists). They said that it was wrong but added that they said prayers of regret after they had killed the whale.




Whale is the wonder in the deep darkening
Dye red the waves as the spray sparkling
Dying in the depth and the seabirds scattering

Harpoon shreds flesh and a song, fading fast
Pain, as her lover, slowly moving past
Cold is the sea, for the sun never lasts

Carved up on deck, not knowing her name
Songs of regret, but no sense of shame
Eaten by candlelight, no taste of blame