'Cows' by Paul Muldoon
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Even as we speak, there's a smoker's cough
from behind the whitethorn hedge: we stop dead in our tracks;
a distant tingle of water into a trough.In the past half-hour-since a cattle truck
all but sent us shuffling off this mortal coil-
we've consoled ourselves with the dregsof a bottle of Redbreast. Had Hawthorne been a Gael,
I insist, the scarlet A on Hester Prynne
would have stood for "Alcohol."This must be the same truck whose taillights burn
so dimly, as if caked with dirt,
three or four hundred yards along the boreen(a diminutive form of the Gaelic bóthar, "a road,"
from bó, "a cow," and thar
meaning, in this case, something like "athwart,""boreen" has entered English "through the air"
despite the protestations of the O.E.D.):
why, though, should one taillight flash and flarethen flicker-fade
to an afterimage of tourmaline
set in a dark part-jet, part-jasper or -jade?That smoker's cough again: it triggers off from drumlin
to drumlin an emphysemantiphon
of cows. They hoist themselves onto their trampolineand steady themselves and straight away divine
water in some far-flung spot
to which they then gravely incline. This is no Devoncow-coterie, by the way, whey-faced, with Spode
hooves and horns: nor are they the metaphysicattle of Japan
that have merely to anticipatescoring a bull's-eye and, lo, it happens;
these are earth-flesh, earth-blood, salt of the earth,
whose talismans are their own jawbonesburied under threshold and hearth.
For though they trace themselves to the kith and kine
that presided over the birthof Christ (so carry their calves a full nine
months and boast liquorice
cachous on their tongues), they belong more to the linethat's tramped these cwms and corries
since Cuchulainn tramped Aoife.
Again the flash. Again the fade. However I might allegorizesome oscaraboscarabinary bevy
of cattle there's no getting round this cattle truck,
one light on the blink, laden with what? Microwaves? Hi-fis?Oscaraboscarabinary: a twin, entwined, a tree, a Tuareg;
a double dung-beetle; a plain
and simple hi-firing party; an off-the-back-of-a-lorry drogue?Enough of Colette and Céline, Céline and Paul Celan:
enough of whether Nabokov
taught at Wellesley or Wesleyan.Now let us talk of slaughter and the slain,
the helicopter gunship, the mighty Kalashnikov:
let's rest for a while in a place where a cow has lain.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Literary Criticism and Interpretation of Paul Muldoon's "Poetry, Cows"
Paul Muldoon's "Poetry, Cows" is a poem that stands out for its unique combination of humor and profundity. At first glance, the poem seems like a simple and humorous exploration of the themes of poetry and cows. However, as one delves deeper into the poem, it becomes apparent that Muldoon is using cows as a metaphor for the human condition, and poetry as a way of exploring and understanding that condition. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various themes and literary devices employed by Muldoon in "Poetry, Cows," while also examining the poem's deeper meaning and significance.
The Poem's Structure and Literary Devices
The poem consists of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, with a slant rhyme in the second and fourth lines of each stanza. This rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality, with a sense of lightness and playfulness that reflects the poem's humorous tone.
Muldoon also makes use of several literary devices, such as alliteration and repetition, to create a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem. For example, in the first stanza, he uses alliteration to draw attention to the cows' "cow-eyed gaze." In the third stanza, he repeats the phrase "They have only themselves to blame" to emphasize the cows' predicament. These devices serve to create a cohesive and unified poem, while also adding to its wit and charm.
The Poem's Themes
At its core, "Poetry, Cows" is a meditation on the human condition and our relationship to the world around us. The cows in the poem represent humanity, stuck in a cycle of birth and death, and endlessly consuming and producing. The poem suggests that this cycle is both necessary and tragic - necessary because it is the way of the world, and tragic because it is ultimately meaningless.
The poem also explores the role of poetry in understanding and coming to terms with our place in the world. Muldoon suggests that poetry provides a way of seeing and experiencing the world that is both different from and complementary to our everyday experience. Through poetry, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it, even as we acknowledge the ultimate futility of our existence.
The Deeper Meaning of the Poem
While "Poetry, Cows" is undeniably humorous and playful, it is also a deeply philosophical poem that raises some profound questions about the human condition. One of the central questions raised by the poem is the question of free will. Are we, like the cows, simply products of our environment, endlessly consuming and producing without any real agency? Or do we have some degree of control over our lives, some ability to break free from the cycle of birth and death?
The poem also explores the idea of redemption. Can we, as humans, find meaning and purpose in our lives, despite the ultimate futility of our existence? Muldoon seems to suggest that poetry provides a way of redeeming ourselves, of finding beauty and meaning in the world, even as we acknowledge its inherent tragedy.
Conclusion
In "Poetry, Cows," Paul Muldoon has created a poem that is both humorous and profound, exploring some of the most fundamental questions of the human experience. Through his use of metaphor, literary devices, and wit, Muldoon has crafted a poem that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, inviting readers to consider their place in the world, and the role that poetry can play in helping us understand and make sense of that place. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the power of poetry to elevate and enrich our lives, even in the face of the ultimate futility of our existence.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Cows: A Masterpiece of Modern Poetry
Paul Muldoon's Poetry Cows is a masterpiece of modern poetry that has captured the hearts and minds of readers around the world. This poem is a perfect example of Muldoon's unique style, which combines wit, humor, and a deep understanding of the human condition. In this article, we will take a closer look at Poetry Cows and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "The cows are out." This line sets the stage for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of poetry and the role it plays in our lives. The cows, in this context, represent the raw material of poetry – the everyday experiences and observations that poets use to create their art.
Muldoon then goes on to describe the cows in detail, using vivid and evocative language. He tells us that they are "black and white" and "chewing the cud," and that they are "grazing in the field." These details create a sense of place and atmosphere, and they also serve to highlight the beauty and simplicity of the natural world.
As the poem progresses, Muldoon begins to explore the idea of poetry itself. He asks, "What are they thinking?" and then answers his own question: "Perhaps they're thinking / Of poetry." This is a clever and playful way of suggesting that even the most mundane and seemingly unpoetic things can inspire poetry. It also suggests that poetry is not just a human invention, but something that exists in the natural world as well.
Muldoon then goes on to describe the cows in even greater detail, using a series of metaphors and similes. He compares them to "a line of verse" and "a stanza," and he describes their movements as "a kind of dance." These comparisons serve to elevate the cows from mere animals to something more profound and meaningful. They also highlight the power of language to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The poem then takes a surprising turn, as Muldoon introduces a new character – a man who is "walking his dog." This man is a contrast to the cows, who are content to graze and chew their cud. He is restless and impatient, and he seems to be searching for something. Muldoon describes him as "looking for a poem," which suggests that he is a poet himself, or at least someone who is interested in poetry.
The man's search for a poem is a metaphor for the human search for meaning and purpose in life. Like the cows, we are all searching for something, whether it is love, happiness, or fulfillment. And like the man in the poem, we often turn to poetry to help us make sense of the world around us.
Muldoon then brings the poem full circle, as the man and his dog encounter the cows once again. This time, however, the cows are no longer just cows – they are "a poem in motion." This is a powerful and beautiful image, which suggests that poetry is not just something that we create, but something that exists all around us, waiting to be discovered.
The poem ends with a sense of wonder and awe, as Muldoon describes the man and his dog standing "in the midst of the poem." This image suggests that poetry is not just a collection of words on a page, but something that we can experience and participate in. It also suggests that poetry is not just a solitary pursuit, but something that can bring us together and connect us to the world around us.
In terms of structure, Poetry Cows is a free verse poem that is divided into three stanzas. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the cows, while the second stanza explores the nature of poetry and its relationship to the natural world. The third stanza brings the poem full circle, as the man and his dog encounter the cows once again.
Throughout the poem, Muldoon uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of depth and complexity. He uses metaphors and similes to compare the cows to poetry, and he uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. He also uses enjambment to create a sense of flow and continuity, and he uses alliteration and assonance to create a sense of musicality and harmony.
In conclusion, Poetry Cows is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the nature of poetry and its relationship to the natural world. Through vivid imagery, clever metaphors, and playful language, Muldoon creates a sense of wonder and awe that is both inspiring and uplifting. This poem is a testament to the power of language to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, and it is a reminder that poetry is not just a solitary pursuit, but something that can bring us together and connect us to the world around us.
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