Where the road curves toward the lake
there’s a hobby farm where they raise
miniature ponies, llamas & alpacas.

In May, the furry beasts amble like happy
old men on the rolling land, which is now blanketed
with yellow wildflowers & patches of hay.

I’m reading a book of Chinese poetry
from the Tang dynasty. So many images of earth,
animal, & sky — full moon, fragrant pine,

rivers, mountains, wind & rain. Horses
& resting birds. In June, my neighbor
shears the thick coats of the alpacas,

leaving nothing unshaven but their fluffy
heads. If a field of new flowers could applaud.
If small black ponies could laugh.