The Cattle Cry

by Sandra L Polvinale

(Fairfield PA 17320)

A fourth of July like none other.

No place I’d rather be.
Miss Freda’s Gettysburg estate
Cattle acting …mysteriously!
Canons shout! The battle cries!
Cattle huddling
Smoke filled skies.
Lush green fields
Terrified cattle!
Calves calling mom.
All cattle huddling.
Crying out,the battle cry!
Man and beast
Death and cries.
Quiet fields still
The grass lands wave
A bluebird is chirping
Happy Birthday baloons
Are on the porch waving.
The Rebels yell!
Canons and shouting!
“Was pitiful she said.”
Empathetic Freda. She’s 90 today!
We lightened Freda’s weight
Heavy on her this day.
P.T worn out; She’s 90 today!
A whispered happy birthday
Parlor drapes still drawn
Shafts of light on the carpet
Whispers, Your birthday’s today.
Roles topsy turvy,
We care for YOU today.
Been a mover and a shaker.
Supervisor nurse.
“Now, Freda is cared for.” I say.
Switching gears: Care giver now cared for.
“Just not fair! The cattle so scared!”
Canon shots scream!
Shaking the walls.
“Pitiful sight,them all scared and all!”
“Don’t cry Miss Freda, your birthday’s today!”
“Will the little ones get trampled?”
“It’s your birthday today.”
Canon shots roar! Rebels are screaming!
Light from the TV
Seems like we’re dreaming.
But…it’s your birthday today!

* There was a civil war reenactment going on
over the hill from Freda’s farm on the 4th of July
where the cattle must have been just as spooked
stampeding as during the war in 1863!
A birthday party and a war!

by: Sandra L Polvinale