A Moment Long Ago

A moment long ago The farmer said he needed sand for the fenced-in chicken run Off we went, hooking the cart to our tiny female horse that had been so sweet a foal, she was named Dokka (doll) The beach was long and empty, the cold water of The North Sea did not invite bathers When white-topped waves crashed ashore, the water was translucent with a hinge of green when the sea retracted made a world-weary sigh. When the cart was loaded, it was time for lunch, the farmer’s wife had made a hamper of bread, boiled eggs and cheese; After lunch and when the farmer had a dram or two, I walked around feeling great for just being there. Then I saw two white stallions riding a wave to shore, magnificent animals with flying manes, galloping to the tree line and disappearing yonder. Time to leave, but the horse was not there had been bored by seagrass began walking home, I ran to fetch her, where she stood confused by a crossroad, I rode her back to the strand feeling like a king of the world Going back to the farm, the farmer fell asleep on top of the load When arriving, the farmer’s wife was angry, I unharnessed the horse that quickly ran to the field where it neighed and snorted, jumping before settling down, I think she had seen the stallions too.