IO
August 22, 2006
On the horns of an infant moon,
the creek shrinks and pools
between sycamores and live oaks
as babies come to first-time mothers
bringing the bear tracks downcanyon
on the scent of spent placentas.
Black progeny of the river nymph –
white heifer driven by Hera’s gadfly
Oestrus to madly cross continents
and populate Asia – find maternity
perplexing at first. Yet, lick and nuzzle
a stumbling wet struggle to stand,
suckle and rest that ignites instinct
in all flesh. Worthy timeless worship,
no better mother than a cow.