The Unexpected Weight of Counting Sheep: A Poet’s Reflection on Advocacy and Insomnia
Insomnia is a common struggle, and the age-old remedy of counting sheep often feels… inadequate. For many, including myself, the image of docile sheep drifting across a mental landscape simply doesn’t translate to peaceful slumber. Perhaps it’s because, when you truly see sheep, they aren’t just numbers.
Living amongst rescued animals changes your viewpoint. Each creature possesses a distinct personality, a unique face etched with experience. Trying to reduce them to a simple count feels not only impossible, but deeply disrespectful. You quickly realize that assigning a personality to each sheep makes the process exhausting, often halting progress after just a dozen.
Beyond the Pastoral Ideal: The Elaborate Reality of Animal Welfare
The traditional image of counting sheep assumes a peaceful, idyllic scene. Though, the act of counting can quickly become fraught with ethical and emotional complexities. Consider the mechanics of the task: sheep must pass a designated point, one by one, to be effectively counted. This imagery, as it turns out, can be powerfully unsettling.
Imagine a ramp, not leading to pasture, but to a ship bound for export. This is where the simple act of counting transforms into a desperate attempt at rescue. You begin to feel like you’re “stealing” sheep, offering them a fleeting escape. But the harsh truth is that even saving a single animal from the horrors of live export doesn’t guarantee a better fate.
Often, avoiding the brutal journey simply means a quicker path to slaughter. The conditions on these export ships are undeniably horrific, exceeding even the infamous trials of the Ancient Mariner. This realization underscores a broader, disheartening truth: systemic issues demand systemic solutions.
The Exhaustion of advocacy and the Glimmers of Hope
Counting sheep, in this context, becomes a metaphor for the tireless, often frustrating work of animal advocacy. You find yourself trapped in a cycle of hope and despair, witnessing the departure of ships regardless of your efforts. What appears as progress – a rising number – can feel like a backward slide.
This internal conflict is exhausting. It’s the weight of knowing that every number represents a life, a story, a potential tragedy. Yet, despite the overwhelming challenges, you must continue. Day after day, night after night, the work persists.
However, even within this struggle, moments of hope emerge. Like “kelp in the wave-wash,” these glimmers remind you why you continue to fight. They represent the possibility of a more compassionate future, a world where animals are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Finding Meaning in the Count
Ultimately, the act of counting sheep – and the anxieties it evokes - reveals a profound truth. It highlights the messy, complicated reality of the human mind when confronted with ethical dilemmas. It’s a reminder that even seemingly simple tasks can be laden with emotional weight and moral responsibility.
Perhaps the true value isn’t in reaching a specific number, but in acknowledging the individual lives behind each one. And in recognizing that even in the darkest of times, the possibility of hope remains.
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