The Purple Cow
by Gelett Burgess
I never saw a purple cow;
I never hope to see one;
But I can tell you anyhow;
I’d rather see than be one!
This famous poem was written by Gelett Burgess in 1895 and published in his literary magazine, The Lark. Burgess and his contemporary bohemians often gathered in Russian Hill at 1032 Broadway (at Taylor) for dinners, discussion, storytelling, and other events.
After Andy Warhol printed Cow in 1966, Burgess should have written something like this:
I never saw Mr. Warhol;
I never think I’ll meet him;
But I can tell you anyhow;
I’d like to own his screenprint!
