The line "I never saw a purple cow" is the beginning of a poem by what author?

Frank Gelett Burgess (January 30, 1866 – September 18, 1951) was an artist, art critic, poet, author and humorist. An important figure in the San Francisco Bay Area literary renaissance of the 1890's, particularly through his magazine, "The Lark", he is best known as a writer of nonsense verse, such as "The Purple Cow", and for introducing French modern art to the United States in an essay titled "The Wild Men of Paris". He was the author of the popular "Goops" books, and he coined the term "blurb".

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!

"The Purple Cow" (the full title was "The Purple Cow: Reflections on a Mythic Beast Who's Quite Remarkable, at Least"), an illustrated four-line poem that appeared in the first number of The Lark, was to remain the ne plus ultra of nonsense verse that Burgess would spend his life unsuccessfully attempting to surpass.

The word "blurb", meaning a short description of a book, film, or other product written for promotional purposes, was coined by Burgess in 1907, in attributing the cover copy of his book, "Are You a Bromide", to a Miss Belinda Blurb. His definition of "blurb" is "a flamboyant advertisement; an inspired testimonial". He also coined the phrase, "Love is only chatter; friends are all that matter."