Cows in the Evening by Nikki Wallschlaeger

I like this poem written from the point of view of the cow herself. I’m glad it is a dairy cow. I often feel kind of guilty that I like beef so much and eat it, while also liking cows and believing that they have feelings, relationships, and ways of communicating and “a life.” I can’t resolve the conflict, but I can’t imagine becoming a vegetarian, either. Jane Goodall became a vegetarian because of her work with animals, but in a book I read by her, she said she realized it was unreasonable to expect everyone to be a vegetarian. Instead, her hope was that we would be more humanitarian and kind to the animals we raised and killed for food.

One time, years ago before the term was so well-known, I had a co-worker who said he was vegan and, therefore, could not eat dairy. That was the first time I’d heard the word “vegan.” I told my co-worker that, speaking as a mother who breastfed, I could testify that he didn’t have to worry about the cows being hurt—giving milk actually felt good. He explained that was not the point. :)

The poet, Nikki Wallschlaeger, says of this poem, “I live in a rural area in southeast Wisconsin called the Driftless Area, where my neighbors are dairy and beef farmers, which makes for some interesting noises. Cows are social animals with lives of their own. They’re expressive animals, so even if you can’t understand it—though you can feel it—something is being said, some sort of desire, fear, or longing.”

Cows in the Evening
by Nikki Wallschlaeger

She’s unsatisfied
the wild night shift
brings out coyotes
I know a blue song
when I recognize it
prize of conviction
a bovine torment
I hear heartbreak
a history of family
social bonds tied
up by the farmers
there’s lots to eat
that’s not enough
in an open valley
of slippery woods
no words just tone
easy to distinguish
she’s been places
in her small world
big butter for their
american dreams
the herd is silent
they feel troubles
don’t know what to
do about theirs
or her own