We entered the tent
mostly out of boredom.
We had an hour to pass
before the Grandstand opened
and the concert began.

As we passed the make-shift cages
that held the 200 lb beauty queens
we snickered and chuckled
as we held our breath
to escape the God-awful smell.
We didn't make eye contact
with these contestents.
We just gave their scratchy heads
a quick pat as we walked by.

One pig was different.
Her name was Rosie.
She was a rose colored pig
covered in coarse white hairs
from snout to curly tail.

When we passed her cage
she looked at me.
She saw me.
I saw her.
I knelt down and looked her in the eyes
and I understood.
She was afraid.
We patted her head and she rolled over
as if to say ''Ahhhhh, how about here? ''
So, since we didn't want to dissappoint her
we stayed and rubbed her belly.......
well into the time of the grandstand show.
Her tension seemed to ease
although the fear in her eyes never left.
She seemed compelled to keep us with her.
When it was finally time we had to leave
I read the sign above her area
and all the air was sucked from my lungs.

The sign read: Sold to Madison's Meat Market.

ROSIE WAS TO BE BUTCHERED!

We couldn't hold the tears back
and the fear felt by this special pig
travelled through my veins that day.
I have never felt so helpless.

We returned each day of the fair that week
to visit Rosie.
We tried to let her know we were sorry.
Sorry that her life was ending soon.
Sorry that we didn't have the money
to outbid the butcher.
Sorry that she was born a pig.

I will never forget the day
I was touched by a 200 lb
beauty pageant contestant.

Mary Nagy

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-was-touched-by-a-200-lb-beauty-pageant-contestant/