the sound of a horse passing
an elsewhere sound of night long past
childhood night too bright and still to sleep
itching, datura scented, open window awake
with stiff bedsheets drawn tight over restless legs
a brace of angel's trumpets calling them hither
hot green breath snorts over distant footfall
the arabian prince and his queen approach
bolt upright in bed, peering owl eyed
curtain fingered lightly open, i wait
they pass unaware, me quieter than a bat click
the mare leads, maiden tressed, head held low
he follows, all quivering rump, fat belly and black eyed moon
mare tail swish, straw broom on leather chair
a low whiny at swinging hip, footfall breaking
Atropos calls, ears prick and then they are gone
thundering summer stubble clod, away, away, away
towards the white moon skeletons on the salt pan
the sound of a horse passing
an elsewhere sound of night long past
now in brick tin black tar, sheet tossed, inner city night
hot green breath snorts over metallic footfall
bolt upright in bed, peering owl eyed i wait
they pass unaware, me quieter than a bat click
the mare leads, all quivering rump, fat belly and black eyed moon
the dogs follow, one three legged, jinkering tree to tree
mare tail swish, greatcoat on leather saddle
a voice, head held low by maiden tressed neck, footfall breaking
Zeus calls, ears prick and then they are gone
sparking the summer bluemetal tar, away, away, away
towards the white moon skeletons on the river pan
a brace of angel's trumpets calling them yonder
