One of the SCA Horse people lost a mount to age, and someone sent this along with his condolences.
I thought it was an interesting passage, and didn't want to loose it.
Old Horse
His muzzle on my hand was stubbled sharply
as tall grass fields in August.
In the garden mouthing an indifferent salad
weeds and lettuce daisies grass
he'd slip into his age, asleep and eating.
On three legs stiffly propped
the ears aslant
the hip-bone angled to the fourth leg's resting
So beautiful in his unlovely age
So angular, distended, roughly coated
So warm
So muscular
I never let him die but had him stolen.
From his grave I watched our unknown neighbors carefully
and waited for his call.
There are nearly twenty years between today
and that day he had seen more years than twenty
Still --
In the enemy's camp somewhere I know he's tethered
Lost in the tents
Despairing my arrival.
I have no spies to send, no messengers
to tell him I will come
But some day, surely
He will feel his halter slip.
I will cut his hobbles.
And we will gallop through the dark together.
Joyce B. Gregorian 4-72
I thought it was an interesting passage, and didn't want to loose it.
Old Horse
His muzzle on my hand was stubbled sharply
as tall grass fields in August.
In the garden mouthing an indifferent salad
weeds and lettuce daisies grass
he'd slip into his age, asleep and eating.
On three legs stiffly propped
the ears aslant
the hip-bone angled to the fourth leg's resting
So beautiful in his unlovely age
So angular, distended, roughly coated
So warm
So muscular
I never let him die but had him stolen.
From his grave I watched our unknown neighbors carefully
and waited for his call.
There are nearly twenty years between today
and that day he had seen more years than twenty
Still --
In the enemy's camp somewhere I know he's tethered
Lost in the tents
Despairing my arrival.
I have no spies to send, no messengers
to tell him I will come
But some day, surely
He will feel his halter slip.
I will cut his hobbles.
And we will gallop through the dark together.
Joyce B. Gregorian 4-72