St. Isidore the Farmer (patron of farmers, day laborers)

take that gentle beast’s head

in your hands, cradle it like

a bundle of peaches.

those grand eyes blink over

and over with eyelashes

inches long. rub his nose.

gently. his great tongue licks

your cheek.

the angel plows for you. let us

all rest. the fields grow gold.

there are no footprints

in the mud.