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NEW LIFE.
You walked with Jane
as you passed by
the water tower
she talked
of the various breeds
of cattle
there were some
for meat
others for milk
some for both
she pointed out
some cows
in a field nearby
and told you
their breed
have you ever seen
a calf born?
she said
no
you said
not seen anything
like that
let's go to the farm
I think they have a cow
that is due to drop
she said
so you turned up
the drive
that led to the farm
where you worked
some evenings
after school
or at weekends
she walked and talked
you listened
looking at her
dark hair tied back
with a green ribbon
her dark eyes shone
with sunlight
you looked away
at that moment
watching the farm dog
pass by
with its one good eye
(it had bitten you once
and you were wary of it)
a cowman
was at the side
of a shed
clearing out
has the new calf
been born yet?
she asked
he looked at her
then at you
no not yet
he said
but should be soon
want to watch then?
he said
gazing at you
kind of grinning
yes
Jane said
Benedict here
hasn't seen a birth
oh of course
these Londoners
haven't nought
he said
hang about a moment
and we'll go across
he said
you looked at Jane
she was silent
looking around the farm
have you seen
a calf being born?
you asked
many times
she said
ever since
I could stand
I’ve been near
cattle and sheep
I know most breeds
of both
she added softly
after a few minutes
the cowman walked
you both over to the cowshed
over the yard
and opened up
the half door
there she is
he said
waiting to drop
you and Jane
peered over
the half door
at a cow by the wall
looking at you
disinterestedly
her tail flapping
away flies
shouldn't be long now
the cowman said
never seen
a calf born then?
he said to you
no not yet
you said
don't suppose
you Londoners
see much of cows
he said smiling
no not at all in London
you said
he looked at Jane
then at the cow
which was standing still
making noises
then moving
then standing still again
I was about 5
when my old dad
took me to see
a calf born
the cowman said
all that blood and stuff
near made me
want to puke
first time
you looked at Jane
her hands
on the door top
her eyes focused
on the cow
she had on blue jeans
and boots
and a yellowy top
with small bulges
of breasts
there she goes
the cowman said
and you gazed
at the cow
and a head appeared
as if by magic
out of the rear
of the cow
and it hung there
momentarily
then it slid out
and dropped
to the straw filled floor
covered in blood
and stuff
and the cow
licked the calf
and you watched
fascinated
at the new life
laying there
moving
the cow licking
the legs moving
the head turning
that's how it is
the cowman said
easy one that
and you moved closer
to Jane
smelling her scent
her warmth near you
her arm next to yours
what will you call it?
Jane asked
don't know yet
the cowman said
might call it Benedict
if it's a bull calf
and Jane
if it's a heifer
he smiled at you both
and opened up
the lower door
and went in
then closed it up again
there you are
she said
now you've seen
a calf born
you nodded
and you walked back
out of the yard
and up the drive
let's go back to my house
she said
Mum'll give us
tea and cake
and we can tell her
about the calf
ok
you said
walking beside her
sensing her nearness
her hand close to yours
you wanting to hold it
but not doing so
walking there
beneath the sun's
warmth and glow.
