Pigs is pigs

Four legs good, two legs...well, not so tasty, we hope. Andrew shares some photos of the pigs at the Columbia County Fair, but I add some thoughts as to the awkward relationship between a pig and its own deliciousness. To be continued, at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Animal farm

Such ill manners
and yet such lovely
pink ears --
no wonder all the young girls
adore you so,
even though
you root in the muck.
Everyone needs a rumbler
to stir things up a bit.
Hard to wear out such a
fathomless welcome
as a maiden heart;
but everyone does know --
bacon is tasty of a morning;
and crisp.
Maybe in another life
you'll be the king presiding,
passing judgment
on sweeter injustices
than simply
being good to eat.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Fleeced again

Is a ram really "ram tough"? Or is it "soft as a lamb"? Can it be both? Looking at the Rambouillet sheep at the Columbia County Fair, we consider the possibilities. Photos and discussion at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Argosy

The fairness of your eye
belies the barbary mettle
churning behind its kind resolve;
and each curlicue swirl
of carapace declares,
you won't be tampered lightly,
though your fine garment
breeds gentle fortunes.
The delves and furrows,
the deft chenille
that girds your flanks
decries your martial image
with the pale softness of its whorl.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Entre moos

At the Columbia County Fair in Chatham, NY, you can see young 4-H'ers proudly display their prize animals, which are sometimes cows five times their size. But is it hard to raise an animal from birth and then give it up because it has been raised for sale to breeders or for food? Today's blog considers these thoughts, with some captivating photos, at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Bonding

These are the eyes
that pulled mine out of the stable
trance that held your mother
shivering in the stall --
when you arrived you were all
I could see or raise a thought
to care about.
Now big and brown and fine,
you strip me of the willingness
to harm any of your kind.
I lead you down this dappled lane
and it seems a league of shame,
though I'm so proud of you --
and I acknowledge our bond
must be severed
in the end.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Talk to the animals

An interesting aside: two of Chatham Alpaca farm's denizens having a little "confab" across a fence inspire some questions about the nature and content of animal communication. Photos and commentary at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Always greener

Does it shamble
after amble where you are?
Does the thin protruding foil
of tinctured leaves
meet your feet with equal
propinquity?
or is it only me who trembles
just a bit where greenness
tills the grass?
It should be familiar
as the skin we're in by now,
but sometimes when the dew-slugs
slicken in glossy rows,
and the glow slinks low past the furze,
isn't this a delicious place
to be alive?
Is yours so green as mine?

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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From Peru to you

A visit to Chatham Alpacas of Chatham, NY, leads to some thoughts on the raising of exotic animals and the cuteness of large ruminants. For some special photos and discussion, go to blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Transplant

It grows cold here
part of the year;
and at times the sweet grass
is almost golden
with sudden sun --
it strikes across the field
at such an angle.
And it feels easy,
almost natural to run,
the trim Hudson breeze sifting
aimlessly over silky spun
September coats.
How odd and yet
how perfectly at peace:
you never knew Peru.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Pump it up

A lot of New England is still fending off the floodwaters of Hurricane Irene. We share some images of the rising tides and some thoughts on a few words President Obama might like to share with the residents of Paterson, NJ, when he visits. Photos and text at blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Persistence

Much in the way
a slag stump
stands in the tide
and will not give over;
much in the way
the sharp-angled jet
of a wayward stone
takes years to overthrow
with courses of whet and billows
of white thrashings;
like these our haggard days
lash themselves to the mast
and chide the storm.
We furl and thicken
in the christening wind,
and will not give over.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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Amazingrace

Somehow, it seems almost inappropriate that it is always so beautiful to look at the world after a major storm. But despite the damage and devastation, the challenges of cleaning up, there is a freshness and a newness already imbued by the weather and the water, not to mention the collective efforts of people shouldering together to do their very best. For some amazing photos and more thoughts, read blog.amynelsonhahn.info

Benign

Credible signs
partition the air,
and we consider them fair --
delight, in fact, in their light
espousal of a point of view
outside of our own.
There is rain,
and then the sun
creates this magic act --
surely that's all it can form
after all that's been borne.
Rivers dash upon the rocks,
slap us naked upon the tree,
and still we howl for more,
because in the end
it was for the good.
The waters deepen --
all that's left is mist,
rising and cooling
credible signs
all for the good.

Copyright (c) 2011 Amy Nelson Hahn

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