Midnight's Miracle

Moonlight glistened like stars on the snowy mountain lane Ascending to a mesa above the timberline Horses from the valley ranch often grazed with free rein More than once fillies had climbed up the steep incline One morning after the mare Midnight had disappeared Ranch hands formed a posse and set out to search the hills The raven-black horse was loved; for her safety they feared A winter storm set in; hands faced heavy snow and chills As night approached, dejected posse members returned The ranch owner consoled them and offered his deep thanks All felt their rescue mission failed, hung their heads concerned As snow piled high, blowing, drifting into heavy banks Three days of frigid weather kept horses inside their stalls Passing Midnight’s empty booth made rugged cowboys sad It was on the fourth day they witnessed an end to snow squalls A sight on the mountain trail turned many faces glad Midnight slowly plodded down the hill, nudging her foal A painted pony, black with vivid spots of white The colt looked like her mother, covered with flakes of snow Hoof prints down the mountainside shone in morning light Midnight had taken shelter inside a tiny cave Just large enough for a determined equine mother To rest a few days after birthing a stunning babe A miracle, ranch hands said, unlike any other Theme: Horses and Snowflakes For Constance, a Rambling Poet's "Horses or Snowflakes or Horses and Snowflakes" contest by Carolyn Devonshire