I sought after a horse this morning
A large draught to have trust in me
Wanting to walk a field to where he was grazing
He would know I was coming before I knew
Before I knew how much I needed to feel his strength
In the heat on his massive neck under a matted mane
To tap him on the side of his great calf
He would pick up his hoof
And I would pick a small nagging stone
From his tormented frog
I looked and looked
But couldn’t find a horse
So I went back to Root Road
Familiar in memory
But it had changed once again
The derelict cars looked more earth then vehicles now
Heat penetrated the leaves of tall trees
I allowed the mosquitoes to have their way with me
Didn’t kill a one wanting to feel the presence around me total
Prying the door of an old International pick-up
I sat behind the broken steering wheel
Ran my hand along a cob-webbed dash
Feeling the strength in the heat of time
And of the farmer’s reluctance to give up
The horse for the truck
Probably my favourite thing today. Thanks for this, Robert - it was really good to read and see. Calming, but keeps you reading.
ReplyDeletePeter - it has been a while since i felt something really strong. this morning was very honest for me in word and photograph.
ReplyDeletethank you.
this is amazing...first love the pic and layering very artistic...this took me back...the woods behind our house growing up has two old vehicles, one and old MG and another and old truck...we spent so many hours playing in them...
ReplyDeleteimagery is wonderful! flowed smoothly and kept me reading!
ReplyDeleteenjoyed it!
thank you
Brian - glad you liked both. the image is pretty much a straight shot with the reflection of the trees through the window. i just put a frame border around the outside. thank you.
ReplyDeleteHope - thank you.
Ambiguous and misterious picture.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
Best
thank you Alfredo.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful, sunlit stroll you have shared with us today. A brilliantly descriptive write, placing the reader along side you, as you search for the mighty horse, and mourn it's loss to the vehicle that has gone to the ground. I could feel the heat of the cobwebbed dash, and hear the buzz of the mosquitoes...thank you for this today!
ReplyDeleteThis is delightful, reminiscent of Frost in many ways. (Always a win in my book)
ReplyDeleteThere is such a mystique about this one. I think at times we hunger for the security of what once was. Very beautiful poeming. Victoria
ReplyDeleteI am so glad I came to read! What elegance to your words...
ReplyDeleteyour welcome Natasha. thank you for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteBubba - thank you.
liv2write2day - thank you.
Tracie - thank you and welcome.
Your writing is magical..
ReplyDeleteI found inner peace...
Monika - thank you.
ReplyDeleteA poem that combines the personal with something deep-seated and universal, full of versatile symbols that can be taken literally or as figuratively as the reader wants. The feel of walking, of a meditation, of a mental event, all ongoing here. You've used the traditional strength of free verse--the spontaneity of no restrictions, with thought and care, so the poem has a structured and measured feel simply by its deliberate quality. Fine writing, and thanks for linking this up with OneStop today.
ReplyDeleteGreat Theme, Imagery and description.
ReplyDelete"Ran my hand along a cob-webbed dash
Feeling the strength in the heat of time
And of the farmer’s reluctance to give up
The horse for the truck"
Awesome!
Cool piece. I enjoyed the movement of the poem. The word selection was intriguing.
ReplyDelete