Tayve Neese: Prophecy of the Four-Legged

The horned things knew

the scent of blood usurping sweet hay


as the woman cracked and sang.

The hooved things stamped


the soil, bleated while she moaned,

their rhythm of foot an ease to her splitting.


There was the quiver of oxen haunch,

the slight ripple of donkey hide


when the child slid into this world 

of ovens and knives,


tethers and thorns,

their lowing lamenting


what every mother looses

to God.

From Blood to Fruit by Tayve Neese (David Robert Books, 2015). Copyright Tayve Neese.

Tayve Neese is the editor of Trio House Press and The Banyan Review.