cracking ezmarelda

donkeys in the courtyard
petunias on her head
mother said, "Come back now
or I'll beat you til you're dead."

ezmerelda under blankets
the sun beneath the hills
the fighting an almost silent
thundering test of wills.

oxen on the old plough
horses on the new
father said, "Go way child,
there's work for me to do."

ezmerelda on the rope swing
the sun atop the sky
the fighting an endless question
"Please just tell me why?"

cattle in the pasture
sheep all round the barn
m303(c)m303(c) in the parlor
rolling up the yarn

ezmerelda back in bed now
the moon rising bright
the fighting doesn't end though
because no one knows who's right.

chicken in the chicken coop
ducks upon the pond
p303(c)p303(c) is saying nothing now
he's gone on to the beyond.