For The Sunday Whirl: Wordle #73
http://sundaywhirl.wordpress.com/
Where’s The Beef?
Fierce warrior cows pastured
in remote rugged field, suffer
monthly slaughter in silence
because no one believes they
will ever be of other service.
Until, one late morning, when
they stampede downhill, ringing
their bells through marble halls
to save their shaken, beleaguered
king from certain terrible treachery.
Grateful monarch, in royal splendor,
rewards his bovine heroes with grace
and his eternal blessing: “Henceforth,
from this day forward, never again
will beef stew be cooked or eaten
within my now dairy dominated
domain.”
Elizabeth Crawford 9/9/12
Notes: No this is not a Wisconsin myth, even though we are known as The Dairy State. Sometimes, when I get the list of words, two of them will join hands and refuse to be separated. So it was with warriors and cows. I fought them with determination but failed. Rather than to admit complete defeat, I finally surrendered and let them have their way. When it came time for a title, the only thing that came to mind was the old Wendy’s commercial. It seemed appropriate, lol.
Soul's Music 
I really like this one! Probably for selfish reasons as initially the words hit me in a similar fashion (although not warriors and cows) but absolutely cows and … well you know slaughter… At any rate – I so very very much like what you did with this one – the irony – the phantasy – an excellent read! 🙂
Thank you very much PKP. Once I knew I couldn’t go anyplace else, I wrote it quickly and let it go. I have always seen cows as gentle creatures, so this was a new path for me. Something the wordles have a tendency to create,
Elizabeth
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and of course humor!!!! :)))
Thanks again,
Elizabeth
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What a delightful write!
Lol, Annell, so glad you enjoyed. Being stuck with warrior cows was a bit frustrating, but then I started laughing because I could actually see them!
Elizabeth
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Lol! Funny. Where is the beef? I remember those commercials and they were hilarious!
I also had the cows suffering in my take on the prompt yet from a different angle.
See ya..
Thanks Benjamin. When I first thought of it, I was going to reject the very idea, then realized it might stand as an explanation for the outcome. Glad you liked it,
Elizabeth
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Fun write, Elizabeth! I was committed to warrior cows, too, and then at the 11th hour, changed it to
warrior-bees!
Marianne, it was fun to write, once I decided to let myself go there. I really liked your bucolic scene and the guarding of those warrior bees. It fit perfectly,
Elizabeth
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I’m like you, I hate their abuse and slaughter. We are so heartless when it comes to these creatures and, if they could talk I’m sure we’d couldn’t kill them. This was a fun read but, it also has a deeper message too.
Great use of the wordle words!
I agree daydreamer, we are often heartless when it comes to the other creatures that inhabit our world, most often ignoring the lessons they can and do readily teach us, especially about ourselves. Thanks for your generous words,
Elizabeth
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Thank you for saving the cows! I especially love “ringing their bells through marble halls….” It feels like they finally got the recognition and respect worthy of their bovine (m)ilk. 😉
Brenda, you usually find my favorite lines. I thought about extending it to swinging udders, but nixed that fairly quickly. So glad I did. Cows are a staple of our existence and deserve our respect if for nothing else.
Elizabeth
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How funny. That happens to me as well. Those pesky words refuse to disappear. I almost got done in by the phrase ‘the blessing of cows’. I finally wrestled it apart when I threatened to not use cows at all, ;-).
With the wonderful cows used on the milk ads, I had fun turning your poem into a movie short.
margo
Thank you Margo, not just for your visit here, but for your touching portrait of my anscestors. I’m glad you found that particular path in these words,
Elizabeth
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This made me smile! Here’s mine:
http://lkharris-kolp.blogspot.com/2012/09/overtures-and-undertones.html
Thanks Laurie, I’m glad I could make you smile,
Elizabeth
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Isn’t it wonderful the way poetry gets the bit between its teeth and insists on a certain word or combination of words, despite our resolve to write something different.
Viv, I try very hard, each week, to use all twelve words. I was sorely tempted to just forget about the cows but they wouldn’t allow it. Then realized that for centuries they’ve had every bit of unique personality and individuality domesticated out of them. That alone, for me (champion of the underdog), gave them the absolute right for a moment of sunlight and triumph. And yes, I agree, poetry does have a tendency to clear the path on some inner level and aren’t we glad that is so?
Elizabeth
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A fun read. Most animals are more intelligent than what most humans give them credit for. Kudos to your monarch.
Thanks for your visit and kind words to:
http://julesgemsandstuff.blogspot.com/2012/09/sunday-whirl-73-pause.html
I think having fun is a big key to making whatever we write enjoyable for others.
Jules, you are a woman after my own heart, both about the intelligence of other creatures, and about having fun doing what we do and then sharing it with others. That should always be a priority,
Elizabeth
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Warrior cows… inventive take and great story! I like that there was a kingdom and group of loyal bovine heroes.
So am I, Nan. Thanks so much for your visit and generous words. Sometimes think these comments are what keeps me coming back, then remember why I choose to write at all and am just grateful for this community,
Elizabeth
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This made me smile. I love the cows stampeding with their bells ringing.
It’s been very good to know that I made others smile today. I loved your African tale of differing cultures, and thank you for sharing such striking piece of your story.
Elizabeth
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As a vegetarian, I so much appreciate your poem this week!
Whirling with Myself
So glad to see you here, MMT. A few weeks back, I borrowed a page from your wordle world and altered it to suit my own. It was a very satisfying experience, to say the least. You can find it here: https://soulsmusic.wordpress.com/2012/08/19/only-an-attempted-wordle-murder/
Thanks again,
Elizabeth
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I didn’t think to go here but I can so relate … if I dwell at any length at all about how meat comes to be on my table, I couldn’t eat any of it … and I love cows, especially the gentle goofy ones … I live in a province that is cattle country and am not a huge fan of vegetables so try to just eat and not think too much! I know, cowardly but there you have it.
http://thepoet-tree-house.blogspot.ca/2012/09/plain-faith.html
From one coward to another, deep thanks. I know there is quite a difference between beef cattle and a milk herd, but again, that has to do with human interference more than anything else. Thanks for stopping in and joining the conversation,
Elizabeth
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Elizabeth, I love the images you have invoked with this. I love cows.
Pamela
Pamela, I grew up with cows all around, but I never lived on a farm. They are a strong presence in my awareness of place. Am glad you enjoyed, it was fun to write,
Elizabeth
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Chuckles. This reminds me of an old South Park episode. Go! Cows! (being an omnivore doesn’t stop me from cheering the…undercow.)
Oh Barb, I wish I’d thought of the “undercow”… it would have worked well, I think. Glad it made you chuckle, your wordle offering made me envious.
Elizabeth
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The title undercuts the story you told, didn’t it?
Perhaps it does, Irene. I saw the story as a bit of legend and the title as an explanation to those who might question the lack of beef stew? A sort of “This is how we came to be this way.” Besides, by then I was tired and took what came, thanks for the visit,
Elizabeth
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hehehe Great stuff. Reminds me of a kid’s book call Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin. A farmer learns the hard way, never let cows have a typewriter.
Glad you enjoyed it Cathy. I don’t believe cows should ever be underestimated.
Elizabeth
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A layered and funny analogy
Thank you very much, and glad you found it so. I don’t use humor enough, especially here on my poetry blog. After doing this, I am thinking it might do to change my perspective a bit. Never too late to learn,
Elizabeth
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