Gaining Relief.
She whistles her charges with shrill treble
then in distant meadow
flicking ears hear, long legs flex,
tongues slick thirsty lips while giant heads,
raising from dozes
among open marigolds heave and stretch
flanks as vacant eyes gaze homeward.
Mooing with milk-weight ungainly ranks
meander down lanes to feed
on barn-hay and feel maid\'s cool hands
calming hot udders
by touch of experience for care disarms
stress as contentment spurts
better cream from such fingered cattle.
Slow chewing the cud large animals take
patient turns for gaining relief
as the girl\'s milking pail fills yard-churns
with nectared pearl drink
again and again while her supper waits.
Bovines train by responding to kindness
and right handling when taught
from the cradle knows
brimming founts require placid usage
of youth\'s willing labour.