pasture

pasture

cows are moving

near the fence faces white

as

Kabuki

eyes dull

with much grass

and too many

long days

one, closest the

barbed fence,

lifts a heavy gaze— something

just over

the edge

beyond the present patch

of clover

compels that mask

toward a new gesture

the head lumbers higher

clearing the top

strand of wire

loose hide draped

across the barbs

tongue out

reaching

for a spot of green

only at the close

of the drama

will these players leave

this stage:

the fence is sure though it

bends like the strings of a

Japanese

guitar