Water Buffalo Poem by Toshie Nohara

When I look at you, water buffalo
Your body big and muddy
Weight so heavy
You seem quite clumsy, yet
You are not ugly
Then I
Realized you are a good friend to your
master
A great help for his
living
In the village or in the farm
You plough the paddy field
With all your might, yet
so calm
You do your best, hour after hour
Only stops when there's a shower

When I look at you, water buffalo
Your eyes round and clear
Legs so steady
You look quite healthy, yet
You long for a rest
Then I
Realized you are not a machine to your
master
You are alive like other animals
And not a robot without
feeling or emotion
You need company of some kind
Like when little birds perch on your
back to
peck insects from your body
You seem fine
Feel comfortable and at
peace
With a gentle nod, you seem at
ease
You seem to smile at
me!
I know you love
wollowing in the mud when your
master takes a break
You seem contented when you
relax
So FREE from WORK

Water buffalo, I wonder how
many more summers have I to
look at you again?