tender cows

No gift given
just a drink swallowed
a hunger met
a counter, cleaned
no horizon shimmering
no storm clouds gathering
just a yard, pitched, beneath a hose spout
cicadas, mosquitoes, lazy, relentless
without hope left in the jar
just a list of chores
just a grinding will
to carry on.
There are patient, tender cows
with softened eyes
so different from us,
us impatient, miserable creatures
burning for the end.