Marilynn Breithart		"Grace Before Meals" It used to be the animals Whose flesh we ate Were animations of God. I bow to the pig The complacent cow. I partake Of the spirit of the lamb. I bless all Crowings of the rooster Cackles of the hen. Eggs. I bow to the golden Grains, those deep-seated roots Of trees that bear both shelter and fruit; The sinuous pumpkin and drunken grape All that radiant vegetable heat. I bow to and bless Such divine manifestations of life-giving Life.