Encounter

On a mountain track a cow pauses, looking at me. I stand still, looking back. Her soft eyes examine me carefully, trying to decide the best way to proceed. I step to one side and let her lumber past. A civilized meeting, we both walk on. I continue down the mountain, a visitor in her world. She steps over stones, searching out grass. Back in the city members of my own species walk three and four abreast, crash straight through me. Their faces stare ahead, emptied of expression, or down at their smartphones, blindly grazing.