13 x 13 in
Tom Hogan’s brown cow
looks over the fence // wondering
with skeptical eyes
whether I am friend or foe;
Slowly chewing on green grass
Ruminating thoughts
randomly run through my head;
Big brown eyes stay fixed
determined to stare me down;
I turn // slowly walk away
Tom Hogan’s brown cow
wonders off to chew her cud;
Summer grass // rich cream.
Poetry flows from my head;
Barbed wire goes on for ever
Today at d’Verse Mish introduced us to artist Beverly Dryer. She asked us to choose one of her watercolor paintings and write a poem inspired by the painting. I chose Hogans Brown Cow. The eyes captured my imagination. Hope you enjoy it. Her painting is used with her permission.
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
Roth Poetry 
Love ❤️ the poetry and the painting. Those cows’ eyes with their long lashes are captivating, aren’t they?
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Yes, they got me too! Having worked on a farm for five summers as a teen, the cow holds my attention.
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Thanks Jan!
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Her eyes do draw you in. I love your description of the interaction between you and her.
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It is fun to imagine what animals might be thinking!
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🙂
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The animal’s eyes are expressive, but less so than your words.
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Aw… thank you so much!
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This is a lovely meditation, Dwight. I like this interaction between the cow and you–and those last lines are wonderful.
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Thank you Merril for your kind words. I really enjoyed working on this one.
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It shows! 🙂
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Dwight you really captured a lovely moment. “Barbed wire goes on forever” makes me think of taking a long walk down a country path on a sunny day. Thank you for writing a poem for Hogan’s Cow. Cheers, Bev
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Thank you Beverly! I am glad you liked it. I loved the painting!
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One upon a time I had a herd of cows, this poem is exactly as I experienced them, wonderful memory.
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How interesting! They are not intimidated by anyone! Thanks for sharing.
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Enjoyed it.
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Thanks!
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I love your interpretation of Hogan’s Brown Cow. There is something so serene about cows. They just chew their cud and do their thing. Advice we might all consider!!
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You’re right! Thank you!!
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Nice last two lines comparing the flow of poetry to the endless barbed wire fence.
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Thanks Jade! Yes, they both go on and on….
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To be stared down by a cow… sometimes they seem to have all the time in the world.
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I guess they do! They can always ruminate while staring you down!! :>) Thanks!
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Through your words, I could feel the cow speaking to you. Its calm intensity, such a wonder.
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Thank you! They are very interesting animals!
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Lovely. It’s a good thing to ruminate with a cow. “Tom Hogan’s brown cow wonders off to chew her cud”- that’s a cool bold move.
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Ha Ha! Cows are a bit like cats … they do whatever they jolly well please! Thanks!
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The phrase “ruminating thoughts” is clever for this topic! Did you choose that word intentionally?
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Yes. I thought of using it a second time, but changed my mind, thinking once was enough. I decided to use it with me rather than the cow which would be the natural thing!
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I always wonder what goes through their heads, how much they are even able to process as they gaze into our souls. I like the moment you’ve created here between man and beast and how they both seem to be pondering life in their own ways.
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Thank you Mish! You never know what they or we are thinking! I really enjoyed this post. Pondering life is the role of the poet!
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Mirroring ruminations…(K)
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We like watching cows…watching us! Delightful poem, Dwight.
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So much fun! Thanks Lynn!!
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You brilliantly converted a small observation into poetic delight. It makes me wish I was there too.
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Thank you Vivian for your kind words. This cow caught my attention. The eyes have it!
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So it appears!
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Excellent interpretation Dwight, of this piece you chose of Beverly’s art. Strong choice! Cows always look mildly pensive.
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Thanks Rob. I have herded cows in my younger days. The are pretty strong willed creatures. This one looks rather intense.
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I love how you captured this painting – the eyes are something else.
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It is a great painting! Thank you Grace!
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