THE BELTED GALLOWAY'S EXPRESSION: A NEW POEM...

The Belted Galloway’s Expression

It looked like its coat had been knitted 

By my Auntie Ivy, a deviation

From classy sweaters and trademark tea-cosies;

Its distinctive black and white hair fitted

Snugly, a curly, wavy demarcation,

A double layer to combat the worst the weather poses…

It turned and almost hidden eyes peered at me hard,

Wisps of hay lay about its aggressive, undaunted face;

Its countenance was surely a warning, on guard,

Daring an intrusion into its muddy feeding place…

It looks like its back has been hand-made

Level, by the artist, a deviation

From clever cats and sheep and hares;

Its distinctive, unmarked white belt displayed

Starkly, a sharp, smooth delineation,

Its black rump hardy which a carrion crow shares…

Turned, its eyes seek one’s approval, or a smile,

For the Beltie’s good nature has been rightly revealed;

Ears poised, head inclined with artistic guile,

Its unique charm captured, its charisma sealed…

Pete Ray

February 2019 

THE BELTIE IN SHIRLEY...

JANE ADAMS' BELTIE...

Looking at a Belted Galloway in a Shirley (Solihull) field a while ago…

It almost dared me to make the next move.

I didn’t.

 I have acquired Jane Adams’ brilliant portrayal of a Beltie and it now sits in the lounge… 

I wanted to compare the two images…

Belties are expected to have level backs, they are hardy but are apparently good natured. 

They should not be too small and have a certain accepted gait.

Their belt should be complete with no black markings (mud apart…)

Jane Adams has a ceramics gallery in St Just, Penzance…

COLLIFORD LAKE, CORNWALL...

JANE ADAMS' ARTWORK...