The rain killed the calf

The rain killed the calf
The rain we long waited for
To spit life into this, our soil
To make the season's harvest bountiful
Has killed the calf

The calf that was born in a dry season
Counted a blessing because she survived
Now she is dead

Rain, are you a blessing?
That kills our blessing

Soon the soil will be dry again
The sun will boisterously walk out
But there will be no calf
To bleat on a summer day
And make merry of the waters
Flowing down the stream
For the rain killed the calf

Nguni cow and dead calf transposed on August Friedrich Schenck's Anguish by the author.