After picking 50 boxes
of grapes, hands stung &
bleeding, she rests
against a haystack,
inhales in unison with cows.
sheep, a curled dog.
Nestled in hay, she sips
warm sugar-water from
a jar; pours some over
her stings & cuts.
Though manipulated,
she manipulates no one,
nothing…
When insects unmercifully
bite her cheek, she offers
the other dustier cheek.
Claire J. Baker is a dedicated poet and a self-appointed peace activist.