the appaloosa

published in afternoon magazine

The Appaloosa

In winter the Appaloosa disappeared
and though we walked his haunts
and searched the fields
we never found his prints
or guessed his will
But there were times
when staring from my warmth
of fire and shadows
that I thought I saw
some horse shape flash of freedom
cross the snow
 
That Spring we found him
where the ground gave way
rendered helpless, frozen
where he stood,
a space too narrow to leap
or raise a hoof
his body poised as if he meant
to stand
and wait until the ground
rose up again
Then I recalled the nights
I thought I saw
that horse like shape of frenzy
cross the snow
and wondered if his spirit
freed from flesh
was roaming with abandon
now at ease
too often nature holds
what God would free