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Open Poetry #19
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley

0 posted 2002-02-26 07:43 PM




Based on a true story:
http://www.cincypost.com/2002/feb/26/cow022602.html


***

The herd moved restlessly
as the men pushed them on
Crowded in a corral
On cool morning before dawn

Bessie dared look up from
the butt at the end of her snout
she saw a sight so terrible
she wished that she could shout!

There at the front of the herd
Was a man with a cattle prod
Pushing each cow forward
To a man with an electric rod

turning sideways in the pen
Bessie felt a sudden shudder
She knew she had to leave
To save her cowly udder

Delicately she moved around
Til she faced the sun in the east
Slowly she moved through the herd
She became a determined beast

At the edge of the crowd
She saw to her dismay
A fence stretching six feet up
And thought ‘no way, no way’!

Bessie turned to go back
To the other cows in the yard
Then she heard a mighty THWACK
Her blood chilled and turned to lard

Gathering her courage
She took a flying leap
And over the fence she flew
Landing there in a heap.

Quickly she rose to find
She was on the outside of the rail
She ran as fast as a bovine could
And hoped her lungs wouldn’t fail

The brambles they were thick
They scratched and pulled her fur
But Bessie was determined
No one would make a burger out of her

Run! Bessie! Run! She heard
As children shouted in glee
So she tottered off in pursuit
Of peace and harmony

The police and factory workers
Joined in the escapee’s race
But Bessie somehow eluded them
Much too the men’s disgrace!

Run! Bessie! Run! She heard
From the old man on the bench
So Bessie continued to run
Jumping over a sewer trench

For twelve days Bessie survived
On the plants in the midtown park
The freedom that she felt now
Was more than a moment’s lark.

One night, in need of a friend
Bessie saw cowsin a clearing
Then she felt a sting in her rump
And heard the sound of cheering

Run! Bessie! Run! She dreamed
As the tranquilizer flowed in her
Drifting off,her only thought was
“I hope I’m not someone’s dinner!”

The town was so impressed
With Bessie’s bovine agility
They gave her a big parade
And a gold key to the city

Bessie lives behind a mansion
Grazing slowly on sweet new grass
And though her escapades were renowned
She was just glad to save her ass!

© Copyright 2002 Poet deVine - All Rights Reserved
Mysteria
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Member Laureate
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328
British Columbia, Canada
1 posted 2002-02-26 08:26 PM


Now I have heard of everything!  Great job on a news story Sharon, and very, very funny

~* Imagination is more important than knowledge *~

Einstein


Alicat
Member Elite
since 1999-05-23
Posts 4094
Coastal Texas
2 posted 2002-02-26 08:30 PM


Hehehe...lovely poetic tribute to another Olympic champion...though hurdles and the high jump aren't for another 2 years. Zounds..a cow clearing a 6' fence? I am amazed. Wonderfully humorous poem, PdV, about a humorous incident.

Just hope after all that news coverage, Bessie doesn't get sent back to the slaughterhouse.

Enchantress
Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113
Canada eh.
3 posted 2002-02-26 08:58 PM


Well done Sharon!  I watched this story on the news and had to laugh.  Hope they let her live a long and peaceful life.
Good stuff.  Nancy.

~Time has cast a spell on you,
So that you won't ever forget me.~

ThisDiamond
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-02-22
Posts 9353
Michigan, USA
4 posted 2002-02-26 09:02 PM


Thank you so much for the laughter you have brought me this night. This is great!
ThisDiamond

wayoutwalt
Member Elite
since 1999-06-22
Posts 4870
TEXAS (it's all big)
5 posted 2002-02-26 10:03 PM


bovine bessie you rock and this is a delightful cow's tale
SmartChick
Member Rara Avis
since 2001-09-23
Posts 7081
On A Journey To The Unknown
6 posted 2002-02-26 10:13 PM


Oh wow, Sharon! This is a wonderful story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I am glad Bessie was saved.
Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612
Hurricane Alley
7 posted 2002-02-27 01:19 AM


I read this earlier today and thought it was inspirational!!

Thanks for reading.

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

8 posted 2002-02-27 07:49 PM


It IS inspirational...amazing what we can accomplish with the right incentive!

I owe ya so many smiles...

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-16
Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA
9 posted 2002-02-28 12:34 PM


One that got away from McDonald's...good for Bessie...James
Pilgrimage
Member Elite
since 2001-12-04
Posts 3945
Texas, USA
10 posted 2002-02-28 12:38 PM


It makes me feel guilty to eat a hamburger. Good for Bessie!

Nan

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