Revelation

Question 1

They called him Bob-as though perhaps

Answer 1

You could reduce a monster with the charm of a friendly name

Question 2

At first,

Answer 2

Only black and the hot reek of him

Question 3

His edges merging with the darkness,

Answer 3

Just a big bulk and a roar to be really scared of

Question 4

His eyes swivelled

Answer 4

In the great wedge of his tossed head

Question 5

And in the yard outside,

Answer 5

Oblivious hens picked their way about

Question 6

I had always half-known he existed - this antidote and anti-Christ

Answer 6

His anarchy threatening the eggs, well-rounded, self contained - and the placidity of milk

Question 7

I ran, my pigtails thumping on my back in fear,

Answer 7

Past the big boys in the farm lane who pulled the wings from butterflies and blew up frogs with straws

Question 8

Scared of the eggs shattering -

Answer 8

Only my small and shaking hand on the jugs rim in case the milk should spill

Question 9

I remember once being shown

Answer 9

The black bull when a child at the farm for eggs and milk