May 3rd

May 3rdAlders ring the pas­ture, unfurl trem­bling new-green leaves above pink salmon berry flowers.I stand with my arms fold­ed on the half door of the stall.At my back, stored hay that smells like last summer’s heat remem­bered. The sheep arrange them­selves at the mangers. Everyone shov­ing except for the old ram whose stiff knees counsel …