On The Hoof To Newmarket Sale Yards Poem by vince gullaci

Before night ends
in the streets of Newmarket-Kensington
listen to the sounds
of cattle dogs, drovers and horses
shuffling cattle
between cattle yards, sale yards and slaughter yards
the abattoirs feed Melbourne and beyond
nearby factories boil down bones and hooves
to make glue or fertiliser
discharge waste direct into the Maribynong River
cow pats and horse dung on the streets
belong to yesterday
only the ghosts of the cattle trade remain.