CALF’S DEATH was first published in Harpers Magazine in May 1942. It subsequently appeared George Scarbrough’s book, Tellico Blue (E.P. Dutton, New York, 1949.)
CALF'S DEATH
Bright was the calf's blood after the saw had cut
Cleanly the horn, bright as a scarlet flower,
It dropped its color down the shining rut
From nose to forehead, following hour with hour
Inside the darkened room of stall. But yet
The calf kept to its polished feet and thrust
Its willow-knotted legs against the wet,
Bright stable straw, against the laying dust
Of wet, bright straw. Only its eyes inquired,
Only its eyes asked questions of the dark,
Low stall. Slowly the heart grew tired, and tired
The willow-tawny legs with scarlet mark
Of splendid flowers upon them. Now the calf
Knelt softly, softly on the shining ground,
And came to rest the head above the half-
Stopped heart. Eye-questions ceased. There was no sound.
© George Scarbrough 1949, 1998.
George Scarbrough comments: "The actual circumstance surrounding the origin of this poem moved me profoundly, and so moves me still. Inept with tools, my father’s hand slipped with the cutter, and the rest followed. My mother’s eptitude, as in many other situations, saved the young animal’s life by sending me running for the ways and means she knew of staunching blood: spores from "devil’s snuffboxes," and spider webs wherever they might be found. It is one of my favorite poems. Thankfully, I was never needed in attendance at another "dehorning"."