Poem: “The Coordinates of a Cow”

Mooooooooo!

Cow are you today? 🐮

Hello lovelies! ☀️ Can you believe it? Together, we made it through another week! Isn’t time flying? In any case: Mooooooooooooo-chas gracias for being here with me, and sending so many lovely messages, ideas and insights my way. You are truly legen-dairy! 💖

Home is where the cows are.
Living in India, I see, hear, and most often touch a cow every single day - no wonder, given the fact that the country is home to approximately 200 million cattle (and considering the many free-roaming cows, there might be even more). Growing up in the South of Germany, I would see cows only during summer holidays in the Swiss Alps, but surely not walking alongside cars, busses and auto rickshaws in traffic, lying in small groups on the sidewalk, or waiting for leftovers outside restaurants. In India, however, cows are literally everywhere (and that is generally a very nice thing). So have you ever asked yourself how much you really know about those lovely creatures?

Cows are not dim-witted, as often assumed, but actually very intelligent, witty, and sensitive beings - just like most of us. 😊
When we think of cows, most of us visualise milk, a juicy burger, and maybe nice leather shoes, rather than a sentient being with feelings, and often a rather quirky personality. This is not entirely our fault - we have not been taught better! Luckily, thanks to books such as Rosamund Young’s The Secret Life of Cows (to be reviewed here shortly), and more serious scientific research, we start to understand much more about the big bovines that play such an important role in almost all aspects of our lives - and the results are stunning.

For instance, did you know that cows are highly social animals that develop life-long friendships (to other cows, cats, dogs, or even nice humans), can hold grudges (to the not so nice humans), are quick learners (especially when there is food in sight but a door in-between), and can remember things for a long time? Me neither! Cows not only can figure out problems but also enjoy the intellectual challenge, and get excited when they find a solution - just as we do. 🐮 They also really dig music! Watch for yourself (and don’t miss out on the end):

I personally have always loved cows and their gentle vibe. They are amazing beings that deserve a happy, free and fulfilling life. Inspired by those wonderful souls, I wrote a little poem. Enjoy! 😊💖

The Coordinates of a Cow
by Isabelle-Jasmin Roth

What’s walking there, in the midst of a street, 
All cars standing still for now. 
With pretty eyes and on slender feet,  
It must be an Indian cow!  

With majestic pace and moderate stride, 
She goes wherever she wants.  
Meeting old friends, wherever they hide, 
Or dining outside restaurants. 

She’s a blessing, because in this part of earth, 
Most people worship her SEIN. 
Representing fertility, food and birth,  
Indians believe she’s divine!  

When she was younger, she heard the story,
Of the city’s car-free past. 
Where the streets were empty, not even a lorry,
And nobody moved very fast.  

Since then, so many things are new,  
The streets, the noise, the hubbub. 
But the cow, she walks her stoic way, 
With coordinates that never give up.  

And that, my friends, is the mystery, 
And her secret right from the start. 
Navigating through time and history,  
With an invisible map in her heart. 

If you and I would live like her, 
Following our true inner call, 
Without the fear of being inferior,  
The world would be better for all.  

Have a wonderful weekend ahead! I will be back on Monday. 💖

With love from Goa,
Isabelle 🌿

P.S.: If you want to read more animal poetry, check out my poem about “The Monkey Within”.

P.P.S.: Now go ahead, and jump into your weekend like this lovely cow does!