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.
-
Author:
Fay Slimm. (
Offline) - Published: July 14th, 2022 04:23
- Comment from author about the poem: A tale of how it was and still is in the backwaters of hill-farming in Cornwall. Hope you enjoy the read.
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 41
Offline)
Comments5
A bit of rural living being lost to modern technology. One wonders if the cows prefer the old method over today's machines.
I think you have captured the milking process most accurately and also have shown the interplay between bovine herds and old-time milk maids. It made me wonder which the cows prefer. - Phil A.
Yes Phil I too often wonder which method the cow likes and I should imagine the close contact with caring milk-maids would win hands down. Bless ya for dropping in for a read of Gaining Relief.
animal husbandry is so very important isn't it .. I loved todays offering Fay .. took me back yonks so ya did ... I have milked several cows over the years .. also new a fella who tried to milk a bull once .. no bull ......................... no kiddin .. no more old fella either ... Neville 🙂 x
Woohooo - - trying to milk a bull sounds hazardous mon ami - - ........ I always enthuse over days of yore when cattle had names and were valued too - - I know many small holding farmers and love their tales told with Cornish humour - - yes animal husbandry was on a small scale back then and shared by all the kith and kin - -- thanks wagonload for your welcome review Nev ...................x
Such a peaceful, gentle process you have described. The simple act of milking the cow becomes this wonderful symbiotic relationship. Cows responding to the call, the touch of gentle hands on utters, both giving and receiving what is needed. this was just beautiful!
Good words Fay, those ways of farming are still working well.
Andy
Animals need to be treated with so much kindness and care . A lovely writing Fay ))
Thank you for seeing the need to treat animals kindly dear friend - the milking of cows has changed over years to modern methods but they still need care as they are milked.
Yes , they still need care . I love animals ))
To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.