the lie

where it all started.
there was a cow
she was a child.
she had always grazed in fields of tough weeds.

then there was us
and we were new to that land
her field.

i didn't want to shoo her out.
she seemed gentle and harmless.
our dog was mean because he was tied in the back of the truck all day.

i was too short.
when i chased her beyond the yard and into the street, she turned to me and said
"hey you little shit ball, go tell your mom i was here first"
then she busted my lip.