10

heifer

she raised her head to watch me
prey animal to predator
when you know,
you know to keep an eye out against the new,
to be careful,
to hope for the handout of hay,
for the return to the herd
for the sweetness of salt
for the tender grass, good weather and not too many ticks

for sharper horns and a gentle bull
next time of her own breed
and a calf not too big to birth

for clear air and cooler weather