On 'The Calf' A Extemporaneous Poem By Robert Burns Poem by Sidi Mahtrow

Burns was once challenged to write
A poem on a new object or site
So he began to describe what he in his mind saw
A calf, that grew as he on paper did draw.
It became an image of the one who challenged him
To write a poem of fact or whim.

For Robert (using words with meaning only he knew)
Was at ease in the poem he did pursue,
And he with a twist of wit and a bit of insolence
Described a bullock young and virile
That maybe sought a heifer once in a while.

But as the Stirk (a yearling)
Would grow a noble head of horns amongst other thing (s)
He would become a Bullock strong as a Stot (ox}
With passions to roar and rowte (bellow)
To rank amongst the finest of the Nowte (black cattle)
Testing others religious metal (for the poem was written to Reverend James) .

And in conclusion Burns did write
What would be on the Rev's tombstone bright,
For when he was numbered amongst the dead
And a grassy mound covered his head,

'Here lies a famous Bullock! '