The White Herons And The Black Buffaloes Poem by RIC BASTASA

the harvest season is over
the women had gone to their homes
with their men and children
around the table of wood
dinner of fish and rice
the family eats as one

how close can a family be
in love and friendship

last night the rain poured heavily again
flooding the rice fields
this early morning before the sun rises
the black buffaloes graze and
then wade in the muddy waters
above their heads the white herons are flying low
gracefully hovering and landing
at their backs
some stand beside their thick skins
pecking for lice

how close can these creatures be
on friendship consistently
symbiotically designed
by nature's hands

sometimes i wish
we can be like all these
on a friendship without vested interest
on love platonic
in sickness and in health
......