Killed By Cows

Gold cherry
Poem of the week
Pick of the Month

By Angusfolklore

Tue, 04 Mar 2025
  • 1243 reads
14 comments
 

This is not the time to wonder,

as they thunder towards you,

whether they are cows or bulls.

Just run.

You have wandered into a zone

that seemed dangerous to none.

They low and moo and charge,

No thoughts of darkness anywhere,

but this is how life gets you unawares.

and you are there thinking calmly,

how meadow soft their milk white eyes

even as they stampede.

A meadow larks pipes mellifluous praise

on this, your final day.

The field slopes gently to the sea

and you subside into the soft meadow

that seems like an advert for soft

dreaming dairy days.

And quickly you sink

under unmeaning hooves.

 

Certificate PG
Poem

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

I've been charged at by cows - it's terrifying! Was this inspired by the court case just the other day Angus?

 

Submitted by Angusfolklore on

I think it's an amalgamation of news stories that have seeped into my mind over the last couple of years. A few poor people seem to have been trampled by cattle. It's a juxtaposition of placid creatures and horrible death that makes me shiver. Wasn't aware there had been a very recent case though!

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

it was this:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy87d2dzj6jo

 

Submitted by Angusfolklore on

Sad and strange story.

 

Submitted by Di_Hard on

Congratulations! This is Poem of the Week!

 

Submitted by celticman on

I thought that was one in a million. I pass cows on my bike. I'm going to put a cow-shearer on the front wheel. 

 

Submitted by airyfairy on

A truly unsettling poem. Like you, I've read a few stories about people and their cow encounters. We do tend to forget that cows are very powerful animals and I've read that they're not very keen on humans they don't know. They have my sympathy there.

The way you contrast the beauty of the surroundings and the single-mindedness of the animal is chillingly effective.

Submitted by onemorething on

Just read this and wanted to make it Pick of the Day as it's a great poem and appeared to be missing golden cherries. Hopefully, more people will get a chance to read it too. I read it both as a brilliant metaphor as well as taking it in its more literal sense. Do share on social media. 

 

Submitted by onemorething on

The added painting is in the public domain too btw. By Anthonie van Borssom, C17th.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Congratulations Angus - very well deserved!

 

Submitted by Jane Hyphen on

This is one of my worst nightmares. Everyone always says, they won't hurt you..You've managed to capture the banality of extreme misfortune, a macabre event in a beautiful pastoral setting. There's no negotiating with those beasts.

 

Submitted by Ed Crane on

Well deserved gold for this excellent thought provoking poem

I like cows and I've never been afraid to be in a field with them ...... until now :)

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

This is our Poem of the Month - Congratulations!

 

Submitted by LewisH on

Fortunately I have never been charged at by cows but it's a fear of mine when out walking. I think you've captured the need to have respect for them here. Choice of language and the rhythm both work well here.