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Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2013-05-12 11:10 PM

The Mother and the Babe

She had quite a lovely body
she stood a stance and line,
she lovingly carried her babe,
almost a full month nine.

But one early cool morning,
a bit before the time,
the babe it did come about
before the full month nine.

The mother was in deep distress,
her babe it did not move;
Melancholy it did sit in,
as if death it did behoove.

The mother stayed there by its side
she would not give up hope.
The father came and lingered there,
as if to help her cope.

Now if I were you,
I would shed a tear,
for the next part
of this story here.

The mother, a Hereford, did give birth,
the babe, disfigured, fell to earth;
the mother, she licked, and was quite forlorn,
she struggled over her dead babe born.

The father, black Angus, came around,
saw the babe upon the ground;
and in the way of bull and cow,
licked the mother's sorrowed brow.

I know that life here on this earth,
ends with death, begins with birth;
and feelings live in animals, do so believe,
and do not think just humans grieve.

©KRJ
Karilea Rilling Jungel
10 February, 2000

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

1 posted 2013-05-13 02:15 AM

So sad, dear Karilea, but intensely told with great sensitivity. Yes, in the animal world there are hearts that beat and souls that suffer just like it happens with us humans.

This was deeply poignant.

Margherita

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

2 posted 2013-05-13 08:23 AM

I'm positive animal grieves, at least some of them. Dogs grieve when their master dies or goes away. Elephants, and many other wild animals grieve. Enjoyed your poetry this morning, Karilea.

~*~ I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I can't put it down. ~*~

Kit McCallum

Administrator

Member Laureate

since 2000-04-30

Posts 14774
Ontario, Canada

3 posted 2013-05-13 02:54 PM

This was a wonderful twist as you drew us into the beauty and grief of the animals Karilea. It's lovely to read your thoughts and I very much agree with the conclusion that grief is felt in their world as well. Very much enjoyed this.

Best wishes,
/Kit

JamesMichael
Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-16

Posts 33336
Kapolei, Hawaii, USA

4 posted 2013-05-13 08:17 PM

Interesting...I was reading something the other day and it mentioned that some animals grieve more than others and cows was mentioned as one that grieves more than others...James

Lighthousebob
Member Elite

since 2000-06-14

Posts 4725
California

5 posted 2013-05-13 08:33 PM

What lovely bovines! ...and I do appreciate that there are families who carry for nine nigh human in caring. Enjoyed!

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

6 posted 2013-05-14 03:04 AM

Inconsolable, gut-wrenching sobs, Karilea. Whilst I hope this isn't true, and my wrenched gut tells me it is - achingly, even if it isn't, it symbolises events that are true. Sorry for the selfish reaction, but it is because I am feeling for the cow and the bull and the calf, as I know you will know - and yes, as everybody else is too. Right now, I can't take any more animal sorrow. I'm rambling. I should delete this reply.

Owl

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

7 posted 2013-05-14 10:48 PM

Yes, my friends....this was an actual story...
witnessed by my own eyes...
seen through my own tears.

So many people don't take the time to witness life;
so many don't want to witness the proper stories...
But yes, Diane, it was real, before my eyes...I could not believe it...but when the bull came to the cow, her child, his son;
I shared this on Mother's Day because it was and will always remain just that, a Mother's Day story....I miss working with the herds....I miss walking the ancestry of my husband's family....but we are slowly selling off the land to the newer generations. It is a sad time, but it is a needful time.

If there is a time when, and I shudder, that Alzheimer's meets me and takes me in? I will always, always want to remember this moment in my life.

Always, K

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

8 posted 2013-05-17 04:12 PM

I know that life here on this earth,
ends with death, begins with birth;
and feelings live in animals, do so believe,
and do not think just humans grieve.

My tears could be measured in gallons... but I go home each evening to a cat whose grief for his sister even exceeds mine. Yes, they love and yes, they grieve... and yes, our hearts break as we helplessly watch their sorrow.

Alison

Member Rara Avis

since 2008-01-27

Posts 9318
Lumpy oatmeal makes me crazy!

9 posted 2013-05-17 10:15 PM

Oh man. This hit my heart strings. Yes, it is true that animals mourn too and you took us right into the story with this poem. Sad, sad. But, so nice that they grieved together.

Love you.
Alison

EmmaRose
Senior Member

since 2011-03-02

Posts 1376
Midwest

10 posted 2013-05-18 03:06 PM

They bring more to us than many realize.
Thank you for posting this very human story.

Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

11 posted 2013-05-22 09:05 PM

Suthern, Alison, Emma, thank you for reading. I know how you ladies are...and I know you felt this with your heart. It is an old poem, but a true poem, saw it with my own eyes....I have learned so much in Kansas...I continue to learn each and every day. Love, K

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