By Jim Hagarty
Today I looked across a field
And the cattle there.
I recalled in my young life
How vital cattle were.
Such noble beasts that I once fed
And cared for in my way.
I wonder if I miss those cattle
In my life today.
We roamed our fields together.
Sometimes they liked to play
But I was taught to face them
And never run away.
The joy those gentle giants showed
Out in their pasturelands,
Is something I will not forget
I don’t believe I can.
I gave them straw for bedding
And then twice every day
Went up into the hay mow
And forked them down their hay.
And then walked through the manger
And scratched their heads and ears
To think of cattle, as I write,
Is bringing on the tears.
Don’t think too ill of farmers
And disregard the news.
For those folks love their livestock.
To leave them brings the blues.
And when you know a farmer
At 90, on the land.
He simply can’t retire, you see,
Cause he’s a cattle man.
