Cattle

 

Cattle

You said you loved me more than the cattle you raised-

We sat on the field

As they softly grazed.

The mud they had slept in

Covered their fur like an embrace.

 

I offered to help you clean them with the hose-

It took 2 minutes to start and

soaked through our clothes.

We both took a brush and combed through their hair,

Like our mothers had done when we were children.

 

Afterwards, we sat underneath your fathers willow-

The leaves fall as a reminder of

the time that we borrow.

You smiled at me,

With teeth as yellow as the harvest moon.

 

Hoping you would take it, I reached out my hand-

Hazel eyes followed my arm

Just like I had planned.

You placed your fingers in between mine,

As careful as herding cattle

 

The sun starts to set, and the sky begins to burn-

You would laugh and say

‘when we die it’ll be our turn.’

I asked to stay the night

And you looked at me like I’d slaughtered your cattle.

 

I walk home alone and gravel crunches beneath my feet-

My footsteps in time

with our heartbeat.

The streetlights become stars for me wish on,

for a life as simple as cattle.

 

We’ll sleep in separate rooms-

When the summer heat

fills the air like perfume.

But, when autumn comes

we will lie together like cattle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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