the ox

the ox
pulls the plow
through
the sun and rain,
he knows
only where his
feet
must go.
he ignores
the pain
in his shoulders,
the tremble
of his legs
down to his
hooves.
neither for love
or money does
he pull
and split
the hard earth
open.
this is what
he knows.
he pulls
and goes where
his master
wants him
to go