World Ahoy!: The Buffalo

The buffalo plod heavily along the road

pulling loads their massive bodies were not made to haul.

The sun beats down remorselessly on head and spine.

It is a long way to the lake and evening time.

The driver dozes back against his bales,

and wakes to urge his team to greater speed.

The buffalo continue, staring into space,

unmoved by pain, discomfort, wrath, or praise.

Is a servant shocked at inconvenience?

A tractor angry when it’s short of oil?

As calves they had had thoughts of love and fun,

but these are long forgotten ‘neath the sun.

What else is there but thirst and aching feet?

What else but burning back and chafing wood?

Then cool green water lapping o’er the spine

World Ahoy!