Been Forty Years

BEEN FORTY YEARS

wake up

flinch!

wake up

rush to put on

pants

socks

shirt

shoes

jacket

outside

outside

the air is still

the air is cold fresh

run for the barn

snow crunch

run with the dog

leaping

dancing

be the dog

be the barn

open the door

moist breathing

waking

switch on the light

fifty cows look at me

no flinch

no snort angry

winter’s warmest place

breathing

grain chewing

milking

chores

about to begin.