The Bull Poem by Ruta Mohapatra

It was pure black
Not a single spot anywhere
The slant of its hump
The curve of its horns
The rippling muscles
The well formed legs
The swaying of its body
Was pure masculine power

During the twilight hour
Its silhouette was a solid mass
Against the fading light
As it lay quiet on its knees
Legs folded under its belly
Chewing on and on
Snorting on and off
Its tail warding off the flies

Its companions, red, white, black
Thin, fat, spotted
Delicate horns, delicate bodies
Followed suit and lay round it
Close to its body
Eager for its touch
Eager for the comfort
And the feeling of safety

So they lay, close to one another
As the light faded
As the moon rose high
As the stars twinkled
And the sky turned silver
Under the coconut tree
Its giant leaves fanning
Cooling their body

They lay there till the night darkened
Till it grew quiet and peaceful
The moon started its descent
Lights went out in houses
Sleep descended on the city
Then they rose one by one
And reluctantly said goodbye
To the bull which was the last to leave