Good News

Thomas Hemminger

October 27, 2024

The best news of the day

did not come from Washington. 

It didn’t come from a newscast, 

a newspaper, or even a newsroom. 

The best news of the day

came from a nearby holding pen,

where a poor heifer was helped

to deliver her firstborn. 

In order to save both lives

the cattleman wrapped chains

around the calf’s front legs

and pulled.

That newborn hit the dirt, 

was baptized with a bucket of water, 

and took its first breaths

in a free world. 

The heifer forgot the hard labor

and rose up to clean her baby. 

“Hmmm,” I thought. 

“Now, that’s some good news.” 

Thomas Hemminger is an elementary music teacher living in Dallas, Texas. His work has been published locally in Dallas, as well as in The Wilda Morris Poetry Challenge, The Texas Poetry Assignment, and The Poetry Catalog. His personal hero is Mr. Fred Rogers, the creator of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. It was through America’s favorite “neighbor” that Thomas learned of the importance of loving others, and of giving them their own space and grace to grow