Do Not Worry Livestock
Seen upon a farmer’s gate whilst out walking
I pondered upon this heartfelt warning
What did it mean? And who was talking?
Was it a command to me and other ramblers?
Not to mess or mutilate his milkers
Nor to hassle or harry his heifers?
Was his pedigree bull of nervous disposition
And could not withstand any inquisition?
Or perhaps I should not rouse
Any of his hogs or his farrowing sows
In case they should feel forsaken
And then produce less tasty bacon?
Or maybe I should cross the field quickly
And with his sheep not shilly-shally
Nor hang around and dilly-dally?
No chattering with the chickens
And, under no circumstances, should I feature
In the discussion with any creature
An existential debate
Of what might be their likely fate?
But, then again, there was just a chance
That it was a message of reassurance -
He might have been reaching out to human-kind
Begging us not to be of troubled mind
Rather, telling us to put behind
Us all our cares and woe
That he wants us all to know
That when we’re feeling down and low
When we hear the ticking of life’s clock
That when our friends do naught but mock
And with guilt we’re had up in the dock
That when our life has foundered on a rock
Don’t worry – livestock!
No comments:
Post a Comment