pissed-off cow
by Raj Arumugam
What have you come to admire?
says the cow
you guys and gals stand around
new to the farm
you say
ah, look at the horses
(memories of horse races
in the corners of your mind)
you look at the lambs
and you go soft and sweet;
“Oh, how cute,” you say
(Cute my ass!
Not so cute when you put
the meat over the barbecue pit, is it?)
You aliens look at the trees in the distance
and the sky clear and endless
and you drool: “Oh, what freedom!”
and then you come near me
and you whisper to your child
“…see, see cow…
milk comes from cow…”
and you come closer
with your progeny
and I show
you imbeciles
my rear and butt
and watch out
if you come too near
I do fart
and I have two hind legs
and it’s best you back off:
my butt is as pretty a picture
as any of yours;
have a look at my posterior
and butt off
