appaloosa horse
mottled skin and striped hooves
~ stunning specimen
AP: Honorable Mention 2025
A most important thing to do
is to put on a sock before a shoe
The method that is, by far, the worst
is to position the shoe on first.
An experimental scientist with pride,
I only know, because I tried.
An exploration motivated by Gray Squirrel's observation:
Humans make a big to-do,
because they wear a shoe.
Another animal, of course,
wears a shoe. He's called a "horse".
From Appaloosa to Kentucky,
a horse shoe is more lucky.
Inspired by Medusa, written and sung by Glenn Hughes, with Trapeze
I look at you and can only stare.
I love your long and flowing hair,
your smiling lips and eyes that flash
as you bat each knowing lash.
Yet sometimes very late at night,
or when the light strikes you just right,
your beautiful hair turns into snakes.
Your look gives me the creeps and shakes.
Maybe I drank something too strong,
or maybe I said something wrong.
I'd rather ride an appaloosa,
but I'm married to Medusa.
A small hand tugs fingers -
my son and I,
plus 30 time-traveling years –
both of us pulling together for once.
The wooden horses spin,
just missing each other
by decades.
An appaloosa stomps the air.
"Look daddy the spotty one leaps highest!"
Little fingers spring open, gallop away
toward the carousel.
A five-year-old boy lifts me,
onto the smooth saddle,
holds me tight,
as a memory goes around again.
Go to Rhyme Zone to find words which rhyme.
Here Is My Mare Horn Haiku
Gilding is a Neutered Male
Yearling and Colt and Philly
Mustang Male or Female
Thoroughbred 16 Hands High
Wither
Pinto
Appaloosa
Feral Horse
Quarter Horse
Hobbled
Spayed mare
Pony
Shetland
Chincoteague
Assateague
called spayed horse a spade
was leader in long parade
off course may have strayed
words that rhyme with mare
a tall horse who has long hair
would won race by hair
call spayed horse a spade
by God each horse was made
around with we have played
when a horse did ride
countryside we would abide
Trump we had to hide
Fluttering, drifting
to and fro it soars
it dances in the mighty wind
it twirls, it swirls
There
upon a sheer jagged rocky cliff
an Appaloosa horse of many colors stands majestic
There
under this blazing azure sky
an Ojibwa girl looks at the beautiful land of Canada
There
in the mighty wind that roars
a feather lost from her raven hair, quietly moves
There
far below the Ottawa River thunders
and the vast lands of wilderness stretch to the horizon
There
above in a perfect sky
eagles soar, symbolizing "The Peoples" strength
There
in my spirit dream
the only sound is the wind that moves my feather
Fluttering, drifting
to and fro it soars
it dances in the mighty wind
it twirls, it swirls
______________________
March 21, 2023 (Repost)
Poetry/Free Verse/My Feather
Copyright Protected, ID 03-1532-991-21
All Rights Reserved, 2023, Constance La France
Submitted into the Premiere contest, Strand No 1201
sponsor, Brian Strand, Judged 03/22/2023
Eighth Place
Early light
on an almost grass-green.
Appaloosa coated cat
chomps on a freshly caught sparrow.
One ruffled wing flies away
upon a brisk wind.
A perfect morning
for watching,
taking note,
for observing yourself
reacting.
Disgust and joy dance
in the same circle of light.
Keep looking...
soon
you may see
a low hanging squirrel
whisking its tail
behind your eyes
as if you were
a lens held to the eye
of a curious sun
or some yet greater
flame of life.
Pitching a leg across the nether
Of a pretty appaloosa or possibly
A chestnut bay who needs to know
That she’s being ridden by someone
Who will take her through the paces,
Strides both gentle and regulated
By a walk, a canter, a gallop, a sprint
Where she feels all her steps
Light, loose and limber as liquid love
That rains down from a heart who
Gives this mare the greatest rides
Through meadows, across hills
Into the kindness of life filled with
Delights, pleasures, sweetest bliss
Brought to life on the back end
Of a horse who listens to the kindness
Whispered through laughter, light
Chortles felt by the spirit who believes
“cowgirl up” brings plenty of dreams
To life on the back of a mount who needs
Only to be ridden without restriction
By a rider who knows the key to any heart
Is found at the end of a set of reins
Where equine love trots into command
Poetry In Motion Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Matt Caliri
December 23, 2022
Appaloosa, Mustang or Paint
Breeds to ride and love, breeds who ain’t
Broken by pain or heartbreak
But show them a rattlesnake
That horse won’t have much self-restraint
Put Your Best (ONE) Limerick Forward (be like Rico Leffanta)
Sponsored by Andrea Dietrich
February 21, 2023
A unicorn, dragon, or appaloosa? I stare at the blank sheet.
Should it be running, walking, or rearing? Will she be riding it?
How outrageous can the hat be? I begin drawing tentacles.
The unicorn-dragon-appaloosa is a giant spider. He is riding it.
He looks effeminate too; I never draw men that look male.
I give him a frontal shelf, and earrings; turning him into a she.
It is the least I can do. The spider turns and stares at me.
Eyes? A hat? A tuxedo? I let my imagination figure it out.
One less thing for me to worry about.
Cowboy rides horse cowboy boots in stirrups
Cowboy hat waving in hand, yeehaw it’s grand,
Cowgirl is on the range! Lasso by corral
Appaloosa horse hurrah! Glad he’s a cowhand.
Dreaming of equipage horse-drawn
Carriage with attendants at wedding,
Hoedown rootin’ good time with
Root beer float, now kiss bride in west heading.
Galloping palomino golden tan coat
Rapid pace fast on each stride,
Cream-colored mane and tail fly high
Fair beautiful daughter sure and firm in abide.
Stagecoach rolls on by, near town Apache Junction
Locomotive sporting cowcatcher grille,
Black Stallion feisty and alive; husband’s
Love abounding in firm steadiness still.
Texas longhorn cattle cowherd on the range
Equestrian horseback riders like cowhide,
Head ’um out, move ’um out, rawhide! Open land wander and graze
Riding habit outfit, western sunset love now wide.
icy spurs on window panes
windy stars whipping by
appaloosa skies
Star StableThe Game I love
Star stable is a great game so many memories
The gamers squad
Ace champion is a appaloosa
Riding horses and having fun
Sometimes in the game you can be a wild horse
Teasers on new horses rather called spoilers
Ace beat is my amazing trakehner
Beautiful horse colours in many variations
Lovely game play
Everlasting story quests
I’m forever in your debt, m’lady
This me confess openly:
I offer U
every pulmonary part
of this obsidian heart
O beautiful Ivory mare,
I love when you graze upon me
with those pretty olive eyes
As your bright yellow ponytail hair
shimmers in the vale breeze
I confess willingly,
I’m in your debt eternally, m’lady love
Your brave maiden rescue —
Galloping deliverance
from a brokenheart solitude
It t’was celestial revival approved
For this saving grace,
‘I do’ offer you
every pulsating part
of my obsidian heart
I owe you
every aorta praise prairie thing
That a lonesome Appaloosa can steppe sing
M’lady, let me kiss your
heroine horseshoe
O beautiful filly, Ivory!
I just want to thank you on bending knee
For listening bosom intently
to my verdant vow, passionate plea
Medicine Hat Appaloosa
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember free will too has been gifted,
with freedom allied to fate's fickle choice.
Tendered words uttered still..now uplifted,
God provides each one a life and a voice.
Ere life ebbs and scrimshaw scrolled hands beckon,
find strength in Medicine Hat horse's paint.
Flesh prized and spirit bold, yet to reckon,
respectful head bowed, pray it isn't too late.
Of sarcasm's sharp sword, one can ill afford,
cursed hubris' price which is never repaid.
The cost of soul's vows torn in broken chord,
word's sting or solemn praised tapestry made.
To cheat one's own heart with standard-less staff,
turned now to stone, to write lone epitaph.
Poet's note: The Medicine Hat Appaloosa is the poem.
Quoth TheRaven - 7 July 2019
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