Thomas: Yes, that’s what I assumed—it was about lead shot, the poisoning of a sacred bird, and a call to open our hearts to protect those at risk of the same fate.
Well it's not about the poisoning of a bird, is it? It's about the shooting of a bird. I've always wondered to what degree the presence of lead in ammunitions and in fishing weights and even in pencils (I know it's not longer on pencils) has somehow obscured its more sinister qualities.
Thomas: Ingesting lead shot is a common cause of lead poisoning in ducks, geese, quail, loons, and eagles. Scientists and advocates have published numerous articles, commentaries, and letters urging stronger regulations and a switch to safer alternatives like steel shot. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1306945
Lead shot from hunting and lead weights for fishing are well known sources of lead poisoning in water fowl.
Is the poem called lead? And are we to assume the lead as in "shot"?
Thomas: Yes, that’s what I assumed—it was about lead shot, the poisoning of a sacred bird, and a call to open our hearts to protect those at risk of the same fate.
Well it's not about the poisoning of a bird, is it? It's about the shooting of a bird. I've always wondered to what degree the presence of lead in ammunitions and in fishing weights and even in pencils (I know it's not longer on pencils) has somehow obscured its more sinister qualities.
Thomas: Ingesting lead shot is a common cause of lead poisoning in ducks, geese, quail, loons, and eagles. Scientists and advocates have published numerous articles, commentaries, and letters urging stronger regulations and a switch to safer alternatives like steel shot. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1306945