A Hundred Equine
A Hundred Equine
Hot salty drops trickled into my mouth.
The sun had changed my brown flesh to bright red.
Reflected brilliance passed through squinting eyes.
Faint, I rested in shade eating sweetbread.
I lay my head on a smooth slab of stone.
Thinking. Resting, in an ancient dwelling.
Dreaming in the coolness with ancestors.
Imaginary golden wings, flying.
Upon the cave walls were many horses.
Long manes painted wildly around each head.
Warriors running alongside fearlessly,
Man and beast in rituals with the dead.
Distantly, a wild tantalizing sound
Became ever louder, louder, louder!
The earth below vibrated and rumbled.
The great spirits had conferred their favor.
Stampeding horses drank the desert heat.
Galloping with great speed, they came closer.
Safely watching from my hillside refuge.
I saw in the canyon below, splendor.
Gorgeous horses slowly began prancing.
Celebrating there, a hundred equine.
I heard a trickling not heard before.
‘Twas a hidden desert stream, a lifeline.
One appaloosa stallion stood upright.
His front legs above his head reached skyward.
Loudly, with vigor, he announced the news.
The strongest mares came to him pastured.
And I from that lofty cave saw it all.
Mares, stallions, and colts refreshed and resting.
Supple muscles rippled beneath firm flesh.
Memories and awe last forever, dreaming.
© July 28, 2010
Dane Smith-Johnsen
NOTE: Now that the contest is over, I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND TO THIS POEM. I used to have an appaloosa stallion that I gave away. Later, I think the people that I gave him to turned him loose at a place called Hueco Tanks, Texas. I used to go there often to be in the wide open spaces. On several occasions, I saw a herd of wild horses that lived in that area. And I was pretty sure that my 2-year old stallion had joined the herd. There were caves there with a few Native American markings, but not the cave paintings like Las Caux France. So...I let my imagination go and had a great dreamy time writing this fun poem. I AM SO HAPPY THAT THIS CONTEST WAS OFFERED. BIG SMILES!
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