Milking a Cow
by Jim Stewart c 2008

Dedicated to all that have spent some time on a farm, "The Promised Land", you gotta love it.

It's five o'clock in the morning

The rooster hasn't even crowed.

But I get up

On this glorious morn.

It's off to the barn

With my bucket in hand.

In quest of fresh milk

From this small dairy land.

The sun is still hiding

And the airs got a chill.

It's mind over matter

With a pail to fill.

I pick out a cow

Tankersley is her name.

Not very pleasant

And not very tame.

My hands are kinda chilly

As I reach for her teet.

In a short instance

I receive a swift kick.

I rub my hands together

To create some warmth.

I go back at it

And get nearly a quart.

Then swat on my head

From her tail with great force.

I'm starting to wish

This old cow was a horse.

Squat, squirt, splash, kick

Squat, squirt, splash, kick

I'm getting into rhythm

And it's almost six.

I reach my mark

On that old metal can.

I untie the cow

This is the "Promise Land?"

Tomorrow I'm gonna get up mighty early again

And go get that milk.

In a carton this time

Instead of a can.