Emotional Cattle

we all do it,
every last one of us.

we graze on feelings,
like cattle in a field,
our herders,
unseen,
yet their presence felt.
they dine upon
our love,
a tender steak,
often rare,
our hope,
a rib,
its meaty flavor
sweet.

they savor our despair,
a liver's taste,
our laughter,
brisket,
roasted in their flame.
they relish our hate,
a heart's dark beat,
and our orgasms,
sweetbreads,
their desire's game.

this is but
a theory,
we may say,
a notion
that our minds
conjure and spin.
but in our hearts,
a whisper haunts
the day,
that we are cattle,
subject to their kin.  

we all do it,
every last one of us.