Bovine

The story broke on late-night news. A lone cow had been seen walking the city’s streets, her hooves clanging bells amongst the chatter of people. She joined their herd of new machines winding their way to downtown’s glow. There, they say she dropped to her knees and lay down to die on the front steps outside City Hall. Her final act of resistance was to rot in the summer heat. Eventually, winter pushed in, snow becoming chrysalis. She emerged in spring all gleaming bones, sharp as anything, and snarling at those who dared to move her.

Hayley Clin