Galloping
A flash of flanks and fetlocks
Horses turned free within the paddock
The grass beaten and churned into sodden ground
By thumping, pounding hooves
As they wheel away
Heads held high and proud
Distended nostrils and teeth exposed
Manes flowing in the breeze
Beating alongside the fencing rails
At first a trembling trot
Building to a cautious canter
Before breaking into wide-legged gallops
Drumming in steady time
Shoulders and backs bent to the task
Of increasing speed
Then careering across the open field
Driven by the memories of former glory racing days
And the dash along the final furlong
To the invisible finishing line and waiting glory
Now rid of bits and reins and saddles
And high-seated, whipping jockeys
Allowed to frolic unrestrained
Driven by sheer exuberance into an ecstasy of sprinting
Coursing round the imagined circuit
Only pulling up at last, when good and ready
With a lung-deep triumphal whinney
Panting and straining to catch their breath
Pleased as punch, happy with their efforts
Then shambling gently over to the gate
To scrounge a proffered apple
No comments:
Post a Comment