Burns was once challenged to write <br />A poem on a new object or site <br />So he began to describe what he in his mind saw <br />A calf, that grew as he on paper did draw. <br />It became an image of the one who challenged him <br />To write a poem of fact or whim. <br /> <br />For Robert (using words with meaning only he knew) <br />Was at ease in the poem he did pursue, <br />And he with a twist of wit and a bit of insolence <br />Described a bullock young and virile <br />That maybe sought a heifer once in a while. <br /> <br />But as the Stirk (a yearling) <br />Would grow a noble head of horns amongst other thing (s) <br />He would become a Bullock strong as a Stot (ox} <br />With passions to roar and rowte (bellow) <br />To rank amongst the finest of the Nowte (black cattle) <br />Testing others religious metal (for the poem was written to Reverend James) . <br /> <br />And in conclusion Burns did write <br />What would be on the Rev's tombstone bright, <br />For when he was numbered amongst the dead <br />And a grassy mound covered his head, <br /> <br />'Here lies a famous Bullock! '<br /><br />Sidi J. Mahtrow<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/on-the-calf-a-extemporaneous-poem-by-robert-burns/
