Role Call

by Margery Hannah

I am only a person
tall and plain, tongue maimed long
ago when cow bells were ringing.

I was in love with those big
eye chocolates
reminding me of me.

But a million flies filtered
filth just to land on me. They
knew the tin bell would ring
long before it did.

I kept loving that cow
even though the cow
was too foolish to love me.

Look at me, dumb cow
I screamed in my mind
and finally through sliced lips
still dripping with milk.

The cow didn't hear me
so I milked her
She ate my grass
I milked her
She stole my glory
I milked her.

She kept drawing flies from
every side of the slum sea.

I milked her until she learned
I am just a person
tall and plain, but honest.

Vertical, her skin beneath
my dirt feet.

Text and illustration © Margery Hannah 2004-2022 All Rights Reserved.