John Knight (8 September 1933 / Liverpool - UK)

Market Day at Langefni
We rise at the crack of dawn
The Market will start at ten o'clock
Cattle are groomed and the sheep all shorn

Nine and Tide* are so excited
Twelve healthy cattle to be sold
Seven miles is the Market's distance
Walking slowly along the road.

Two good dogs to keep us company
Farmer Jones in front to guide
Hugh and I bring up the rear
Blacky trotting at our side.

Black and white the Fresians ambled
With stumbling gait and trailing feet
We were glad it had stopped rainin'
Welsh countryside was fresh and sweet.

The sheep to Market went by truck
Because they were for eating
We knew their names we'd shorn their wool
And cried inside - we missed their bleating.

The cattle were for milking breeding
We walked them slowly to the Auction
Calm and serene refreshed by feeding
The bidding starts with real Welsh caution.

The final bids were good for business
Our beasts were fit and reached their price
Which meant we could return by transport
To roast Welsh Lamb - so sweet and nice.

The next dawned and I was sad
Despite the good day we had had.
The mooing in the cow shed stops
And all my sheep are now Lamb Chops! ! !


John Knight - Frustrated Farmer - 9th March 2011