Husbandry.
She whistles her charges with shrill treble then in distant field
flicking ears hear, wide shoulders flex,
tongues slick thirsty lips while giant heads, raising from dozes
among lush marigolds slowly stretch.
Flanks heave upward and as un-gainly frames meander home
vacant wide eyes gaze into sunset.
Mooing with milk-weight cows move toward barn where waits
meal of hay while maid\'s cool hands calm
full udders by touch of experience for care dis-arms agitation
when lactating heat begets alarm.
Result of converted meadow-grass shows in nectar conveyed
by farmers\' lasses from glebe to barn.
Chewing late cud large inmates take patient turns for gaining
relief while the girl\'s parlour-pail
fills and spills pearls at each flick of tail, her supper must wait
while curdling liquid coagulates.
Bovines react by responding to kindness and discrimination
for husbandry, taught from the cradle,
knows brimming founts require good feed and loving labour.