the elusive horse

Hiata, Oct 2013

did you come on this walk with me?

in the moist fall air

the field bathing in sunlight.

before; our heads bend over the map

our fingers pointing.

after; there! there he is 

the horse

on the north side of the far field.

did you come on this walk with me?

 across the far field 

futile searching for a lost horse 

in a maze of poplars.

now; we might as well go to the river

 clay cliffs should lead us there

the earlier banks of the river

 they follow a path 

which the river took

in the past

did you come on this walk with me?

the map showed this path 

going north south.

the reality; a path that goes east west.

 did the earth shift?

are we lost?

we get wet from melted drops 

that cling to spruce branches

deeper into the forest, descending.

 we are going down.

down is good, right?

rivers find the lowest spot in the land,

till they reach the sea, right?

narrow animal trails through thick willows

there! there is the river

blue clear mirror like water

a river so wide it is barely flowing

look! two swans look at us

they too spotted us late.

 seemingly hesitant now leaving 

together going south

as one 

our wings flapping on the water

incredibly loud

the noise

scattering the perfect stillness

i am so happy we see the black horse galloping again