Swanwick Star Issue No. 1 (2008)

Eulogy for Goggles

Dearest Goggles,

Now that you have left us,

you shall lie in the hay field

that you loved so much

under the Swanwick stars

near the wild crab-apple tree

(that was your favourite)

forever.

 

And, we shall never forget

your lonely figure in the pasture

welcoming every visitor to Swanwick

as a symbol of the pure, country life

for so many years.

 

You were the last in our line of school cows

that so delighted the students

and nurtured them with fresh milk, daily…

you have been accorded your place in history.

 

Thank you, Pamela, for being Goggles’ best friend and spending all those afternoons sunbathing in the field beside her and feeding her all those “goodies”.

 

Dear Goggles,

I remember when you were young, I used to tell the Swanwick staff that you should have a calf. You were so healthy and beautiful, then. However, they laughed and said it would be too difficult to milk you and take care of your baby for them. Then, a few years ago, I learnt that you had cancer of one eye and I thought we would lose you for certain…but, miraculously, you recovered from a disease that takes so many to the grave thanks to Pamela’s extraordinary care. Now, we have finally lost you to old age and I pray that you have gone to a better place where you will be eternally happy.