In Burgundy, beyond Auxerre

And all the way down the river to Avallon,

The grass lies thick with sheep

Shorn only a couple of days ago.

They shine all over their plump bodies

In the June mist.

Sheep eat everything

All the way down to the roots.

And maybe that is why

These explorers of the rain

Seem so relaxed in their browsing.

Someone has freed them only a little while

Into the fields, and they have a good life of it

While it lasts.

Burgundian farmers will return

Some morning soon,

And flock the fat sheep down a wall

Into glittering rocks.

Then a boy will go alone back into the grass

And care for the grass.

The farmers are kind to the grass.

They have to.