Close call in the pasture

Gently approaching
the cow
anxiously eyeing us

her newborn calf
bawling loudly
as I catch and hold it

Friede’s tagging pliers jamming

and his family watching
from the four-wheeler

I lose balance
falling sideways
releasing the calf

the cow snorts
head low
kicking dust
charges
again
a hoof stepping
on my ribcage
as I roll away