Each Day

Apologetic Cows

As I park the truck in front of my house

four bovine beasts walk from the yard

stepping around tricycles

a mile from their ranch

truant

shuffling right in front of me

looking apologetic

caught in the act

just like neighborhood children

who in spite of my protests

take a shortcut through the garden

from the canyon to the road.

A Shasta daisy somehow sticks

to a Holstein's tail

which, flicked,

detaches to fall at my feet.

Thank you, cow.

Now scram.