Inundation
Swards of green;
cows by the score, calves afoot
grazing the morning sun.
Then without warning…
a tsunami;
teaming river,
its banks breached by
the stampeding current.
A herd spreadeagled,
entwined, in gasping groans
of cartwheeling terror,
bellies bloated skulls pinioned
new legs crushed;
wedged in willow branches.
Drowned most likely
before being trapped,
torn brown hides like farm ghosts,
ghastly scarecrows strung up with
broken limbs askew.
A deathly silence…
above the eerie torrent.
– + – + – + –
Steady as she goes
The Hereford heifer was bellowing,
safe, for now
marooned on her lonely mound,
tan- white flanks heaving in fright,
mini- waves lapping over drifting logs,
safe only if she remained calm, motionless,
not stepping towards the roiling surf.
