The cattle have returned to

The east pasture

And I see there are newbies

Among them

Little ones not quite

Steady on their feet

But willing to jump

And run, no matter

If they don’t land quite

Where they planned.

Their mothers stand placidly

Cud chewing

Tails swishing away

The flies that live among them

While the steers

Not knowing their final destination

Lead the herd to the greenest patches.

The cowbirds

And the other winged companions

Of the bovines

Wander

Beneath them

Unheedful of the danger

Of those sharp

Hooves

As they search for breakfast bugs

In the trails of dung

Left so thoughtfully

For them by

These giants.

All is right with

That world.

And I with my morning mug

Of freshly ground coffee

(beans reminding me of the breakfasts

from the dung the birds are enjoying)

Join them in this early breakfast

Happy to be one of the crowd.

Bev Hartford