New bull 3

Drought came. The ground was dry and cracking up. The cows were licking dew from grass in the morning and at nine o'clock crowded around and in water hole to cool off at least a little bit their legs. The water in the hole was low, changed into the mud and then even the mud dried out. Grass turned yellow end emitted crackling sound. There were days, when a hot wind was blowing, throwing hot sand and dust into the eyes. The cows laid down tiredly in the shadow of the trees. They couldn't breath well and began to loose weight.
The farmer liked his herd. It was nice herd. He already counted how much he will get for young bulls and was dreaming about purchasing the neighboring pastures.
The desperate farmer was leaving in the middle of the night with a trailer to buy hay. He drove as far as Nebraska. He brought hay once, twice - then the slaughtering started. He had to slaughter about a half of his herd. First the young bulls and then the old pieces. The heifers and their mothers survived. The heifers were not thinking about stupidities anymore. They laid under the tries, or were trying to eat dry, yellow grass, which was hurting their mouths. The drought lasted for forty days.

To be continued

New bull 2

"I can not wait, when they will join a new herd with a new bull. They are only trouble." "Did they get him?" "A farmer left this morning for an auction. He wants a Holstein bull. It looks like he is bringing one." "Stracena would like to have a black and white calf." "Nonsense. She will accept what is available and she will be happy with it."
Night dew and coyotes cries woke up both heifers. "I have a headache." "I am thirsty." All herd sleeps when they walk to the water hole. They take a long drink. Malena throws up. "I feel sick." "Lie down." "I am sick even when I lie down. We shouldn't eat it." "I have had beautiful dreams after eating that grass." "What kind dreams?" "I was singing in opera. You didn't have any?" "I did. I had a calf. It was black and white, and it was a little bull. I have showed him the grass we ate and told him he can not touch it. He listened. He was the good, little bull." And after a while: "Do you feel better?" "A little bit. Lets sleep."
All the herd sleeps. The coyotes cry not far away and a cowboy on a horse is circling the herd. Both heifers are dreaming about a new bull.
Those were the last carefree days of Malena and Stracena for long time. The farmer didn't bring a new bull from the auction.

To be continued.

New bull

Two heifers are holding a conversation at a pasture. "It's boring here today." "Did you go to look and count the cars?" "Yes, I did. I stood by barbed wire for at least one hour and in that time there was only one old coughing clunker passing by. What are we going to do?" "I have an idea. Watch out! Graze! Your mother is looking our way." "Do you want to talk about bulls?" "Phleese! Here is only one and he is our father." "Lets go and irritate him." The heifers walk slowly by the bull, but he doesn't pay them any attention. They give another try. This time they are passing so close by, that Stracena brushes his nose ring with her tail. The bull gives out a low bellow. In the moment one of the mothers is there and chases the heifers away. "Where did you get an idea to irritate the bull?" "Did you notice what he has under his tail?" Both heifers choke on the grass and immediately hear loud warning from both mothers cows. "Mother, are we getting a new bull? This one is our father and besides he also looks old." "I heard you will be going to new herd with a younger bull." "What color he will be?" "Oh, I would like to have a black and white calf." "Heifers, do not talk nonsense and graze." "Hey you, Malena!" "What?" "Did you ever go to those little bushes on the far end of the pasture?" "Nope. Why?" "An aromatic grass grows there. You get dizzy, when you swallow it."
The heifers move slowly toward the bushes, so they will not alert mothers. They graze the aromatic grass. After a while they begin to jump up and down and dance in the circle. They try to jump over the bushes. "What are they having there?" "I hope they didn't catch a bot fly?" Both mothers quickly run to heifers and chase them away from the bushes. Both heifers stagger, with hanging heads and protruding tongues, and legs giving way. Finally they fall and sleep. The mothers sigh deeply and let them sleep.

To be continued.

Us

Learning to say us, instead of I. Learning to share. To come to the house, where somebody is waiting. Talking, talking, not listening. Learning to listen. Enjoying gentle touches. Learning to give and also to take. Do not stop to listen. It is us, not I. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, January, 2012

Fear 2

Oh my dear, oh my dear, tell me a taste of fear. Oh my dear, oh my dear, draw me a picture of fear. Oh my dear, oh my dear, show me fear. Is a dentist going to pull your tooth out? Oh dear, oh dear, there is nothing to fear. Did a dog brought home fleas? Oh my dear, oh my dear, kill them, spray them, douse them in powder, murder them, but spare the dog. You will kill the dog, I fear. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, 3/10/2010

Silent household

Don't meow, a cat, we are having a silent household. HOW? Radio is playing, a range is sizzling, a chair is scraping linoleum, birds outside are singing. Only television is off. Don't meow, our cat, we have to be quiet now. For how long? I don't know. Until somebody will begin to smile and say: This is one silly game. Lets talk and have a good laugh, or pots and pans will begin to fly. I didn't mean to hurt you. You did. When and where? I don't remember. Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, 3/18/2012

Friendship 2

I am bringing my friendship in a cup made of my palms. I see you carrying yours as well, walking slowly, afraid to trip over, or spill a single drop. We meet halfway. What a wonderful mix! Copyright (c) Marie Neumann Pottsville, January 2012