Milk Factory

She kisses away the weariness, Burdens – inklings of the mystery Birthed by her dream, hope Remembered in the evening when The calf nuzzled – her nourishing, nurturing Gentle as the soft, dark eyes – bleeding Tenderness The new calf stands, wobbly Trembling – taking each tiny step With quivering legs, long and sturdy, Urging him to begin to live, to risk Falling She licks him over and over, kissing Away the hesitation he feels, The fear of taking those first small steps Toward her, nuzzling and pushing, Rubbing her with his small body, stiff legs Urging him to keep trying, keep rising Lifting his nose to her – she waits, hushing His reluctance with reassurance, He presses his nose to her, finally Feeding, milking – agreeing She is his mother and she will not leave him She is what he needed and he is completely Believing in the comforting – so freeing Her milk, just what he needed – his hunger Receding. He is full of her life-giving sustenance He is full of her nourishing – milk builds his vivacity Finally, his legs feel sturdy enough to take him to places Beyond her – he ventures to the hay, steadier than he was When he first met her, his mom – his milk factory