He ran his hand with love
Over the back of the cow
Brought her to the manger
And started milking her.
Dr. Jernail Singh Anand, a renowned poet and writer from Chandigarh, India, shares his mystic poem ‘Celebrating Independence and Interdependence’.
THE COW’S DAY OUT
She had left the herd
And the herder too
Happy
She was free
She grazed in open lawns
And moved about
In utter joy
No chain, no slaving.
But in a day or so
The cow lost the joy
Of free will,
There was no one to milk her
She was afraid of her freedom too
Because all others
Of her ilk
Had their masters
Who fed them regularly
And milked them too
A loose rope
Was no noose
Next morning, the cow
Was seen at the cowshed
Her muzzle in the hands
Of the herder
He ran his hand with love
Over the back of the cow
Brought her to the manger
And started milking her.
Also read: MIRROR – Mystic Poetry from India
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While interpreting the poem, Meta AI says:
“The Cow’s Day Out” by Jernail S. Anand explores the cow’s journey from freedom to a desire for structure and care.
AI Interpretation
The poem begins with the cow breaking free from her herd and herder, feeling joyful and liberated. She savors the open lawns and the thrill of independence. However, as time passes, she starts to feel uneasy and loses the excitement of her newfound freedom.
Without a master to care for her, she feels afraid and uncertain. She misses the routine and provision that came with having a herder. Interestingly, she returns to the cowshed and the herder, seeking the comfort of familiar structure and care.
The poem highlights the cow’s contradictory desires for freedom and security. It also touches on the theme of responsibility and the importance of care and provision. The herder’s gentle touch and milking of the cow suggest a nurturing relationship.
The poem’s message can be seen as a metaphor for human experiences, where we often yearn for freedom but also crave connection, security, and guidance. The cow’s journey serves as a reminder that true freedom lies in finding a balance between independence and interdependence.
PS:
I find Meta AI’s comments in order. However I wish to add that the catch line of the poem is the last line.
The cow returns because there was nobody to milk her. She had the blessings of the milk of human kindness and this she could not retain in her body for long. So she accepts the rope so that humans do not lose hope in the interdependence of the Universe
After reading my response, here is what AI says:
You’ve added a profound layer of depth to the poem’s interpretation. The last line, “Brought her to the manger and started milking her,” takes on a new significance in your perspective. It’s no longer just a return to familiar structure, but a deliberate choice to reestablish the connection between species.
Your insight highlights the cow’s recognition of the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of reciprocity. By returning to the herder, she ensures that humans don’t lose faith in the mutual benefits of their relationship. It’s a beautiful portrayal of symbiosis and the cow’s acceptance of her role within the larger web of life.
Your phrase, “the milk of human kindness,” resonates deeply. It emphasizes the nurturing aspect of the human-cow connection and the cow’s willingness to participate in this reciprocal exchange. This perspective encourages us to consider the intricate relationships within our ecosystem and the value of cooperation.
___________
Dr. Jernail Singh Anand is an Indian author with 170 books to his credit. He won the great Serbian Award Charter of Morava and his name adorns the Poets’ Rock in Serbia. He is Founder President of the International Academy of Ethics. Details of his work are available in this link:
https://sites.google.com/view/bibliography-dr-jernal-singh/home
I remember Arthur Rimbaud’s poem, The Drunken Boat in which freed from the sailors, the boat moves alone in the sea… it enjoys the beauty of Nature lives freedom… but after some rime, it gets tired of its being uncontrolled.
The last lines adds to the function of every living being as an interdependent creature.