cow pushes
hard, long
granddaughters
come along
to witness birth of calf
girls interested in kittens
already few weeks old
realize something wrong
in birth canal – nose, one hoof
show but never second foot
leg bent unnaturally
cannot push out
(naturally)
must pull
stillborn
Unfortunately, this was our experience yesterday…linking quadrille to dVerse.
a poem in my pocket 
Apr 24, 2017 @ 22:20:52
This is so sad, Lynn. Must be hard to explain to children.
Apr 25, 2017 @ 09:58:48
Yes…on both counts; yet, they must learn that death is part of life in this sad world.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 20:44:08
Oh my 😦 I am so sorry, Lynn
Apr 24, 2017 @ 20:24:12
I much preferred when we raised feeder calves in the spring to bred heifers. There was always some calving problem to face. Pulling calves can be extremely disappointing, ugh! I feel your pain.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 20:42:20
I’m glad for your empathy…we used to feed dairy heifers and ship them back before calving. It was easier! Our buyers got out of the business and our son wanted to grow a cow/calf Angus herd. Today, we had 2 new calves, alive and healthy.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 21:45:13
Alright, they lived!!
Apr 24, 2017 @ 20:16:05
Sad to hear of the loss, just another day in a farmer’s life.
Nice poetry telling a true story.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 19:49:43
Oh, how sad. Life is so fragile.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 18:33:23
So tragic, so sorry. 😦 Writing helps process the feelings that come.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 19:23:39
Yes…thank you.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 17:48:27
Sometimes the birth of one of my poems follows this scenario–that too can be painful to witness.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 19:23:02
Truth!
Apr 24, 2017 @ 17:36:44
A big lesson about nature and, whilst painful, a lesson that in the long run deepens our understanding of the mystery.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 17:37:32
Most definitely…thanks, Paul.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 17:32:47
What a sad ending ~ Stillborn gives me the shivers ~ Good one Lynn ~
Apr 24, 2017 @ 17:37:00
Yes…thank you for an interesting word, Grace. It gave me a chance to share and process the disappointment.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 17:12:43
so sad, sorry to hear!
Apr 24, 2017 @ 17:14:41
Thanks, Victoria…these things happen but it always hurts.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 18:22:55
😭
Apr 24, 2017 @ 16:51:24
sad when this happens but a good life lesson for young people, nature in its beauty and sadness teaches much
Apr 24, 2017 @ 16:55:17
Yes, very true!
Apr 24, 2017 @ 16:49:54
Oh! A difficult moment –not easy to explain to kids. I like the structure that you use to tell this story in the poem.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 16:46:50
I hope the cow survived. Best wishes.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 16:48:52
I think the cow will be alright…thankfully.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 16:20:33
Oh, NO. I am so sorry. So sad for all.
Apr 24, 2017 @ 16:22:47
I took the girls and kittens out of the barn…and tried to answer questions.