Sitting in a Ditch at Buttermilk Farm in Bishop, California

Anthony Parra

I scan the horizon
through my binoculars
looking for a glimpse of hope.
I see cows grazing the grass,
and then, there she is.
I have her in my sights,
take a deep breath,
look down the scope.
My heart beats with
joy and excitement.
I squeeze the trigger.
Blast of gun,
then silence.
Nothing’s moving besides
the wind in the grass.