The Purple Cow!

by Gelett Burgess

"The Purple Cow!" by Gelett Burgess is a short nonsense poem first published in 1895. Originally appearing in Burgess's magazine The Lark with a longer title, this whimsical four-line verse became extraordinarily popular, quoted widely throughout twentieth-century America. The poem's success eventually led Burgess to resent its fame, prompting him to write a response poem expressing his frustration. Its cultural influence spans from presidential humor to ice cream brands and college mascots.