Husbandry

In terrifying

thorny cases thistle grows

with purple spring blooms

and great patches no

sweat or toil brings to bear.

The sight of ivy

and sumac recalls

the itch on my arms. Ancient

hedera pollutes

water, animals

no longer drink or embrace

with impunity.

Doused for fall pollen

like dough cakes the cars and red

berries fill nameless

birds that paint tawny

canvas Pollock red splotches.

We prepare for frost,

plant chrysanthemums,

patch the barn, lay fresh bedding

of straw for the goat.

We prop the door with

a kitchen chair covered by

a trash bag. Dogs cooped

up for too long lie

outside for the storm, their smell

rises from downstairs

mixed with sweet hay and

horses covered in burrs and

malt before dinner.