Country Hearts

the best kind

Country Hearts

The wild mustangs roam free
across the southern plains,
the land stomped flat by their
heavy hooves, manes 
flowing with the yellow grasses
of forever. The celestial heartbeat
of the sky pounds with the 
strength of eternity, the blue so
there it blinds you with color.
The moody winds have a young
lover's temperament, caresses 
and kisses one day, whipping
anger the next, for only the 
rain gods and the thunder children
can control them and their wild ways.
Smell the heat, taste the sun, 
which sneaks into your pores
and clogs them with salt and sweat.
Embrace the freckles and the 
fire ants, the glowing light of the
fireflies and the stars you can see.
This land burrows into your soul 
with a blistering metal shovel of 
religion and redemption, twisting
your body around it like hot iron, 
ignoring the throbbing, and knowing 
pleasure is pain. It makes you your 
best self, the man, the steely-eyed
dame, f*****g all your protests.