Muse #3:  The Goats

Frannie Z

 

1. Anak Kambing (Malaysia)

 

“Anak kambing”

(child of the goat):

tiny white goat

spun around

the kampong.

Until she stopped,

lifted her head

to my hand

and ranged between

my legs

scouting new smells.

 

2. Karachi: Testing and Milk

 

My husband fought

the male goat,

trying his young muscles

as if he were wrestling

with stags

in the ancient rite.

He corralled the female

for milk

to give his cat.

 

3. Becky’s Goat

 

They moved from Chicago

to rural Arizona.

Spring the goat

comes inside

when it’s hot.

She circles the rug

and teases the dog,

To her, a goat

with a growl.

 

4. The Sacrifice

You are a bastard,

but I loved you

because you couldn’t watch

and kept inside

as their goat lives

ended under the knife.

 

You run to women,

butting them

with words

in four languages,

heating them

with your eyes.

 

Some day

you may meet one

who frolics,

then steals away

to sniff new grass.