Pig

Walking near home, North Carolina tobacco country, I came upon a great sow, must've weighed a ton or more, dusty, pink and human-like and so afraid of me, cringing there in the dust where she was rooting as I tried to reach out and pet her. I could see her struggle, wanting me to come close but not quite able to trust. Oh, piggie, I thought, Your owner's beaten you, and you can't come out of your shell, and sadly, all I could do was utter some loving words, throw the dear a kiss, and continue on my way.