OOFF MY STEED

a horse from my childhood

OOFF, MY STEED

"ooff, my friend,
my giant blood bay pinto
so big,
i required a mounting block
to scrabble up behind his mighty shoulders
wondrous, truly a heroine’s steed...
he was named the first sound
his first rider made

when they turned him loose
his first “master” on board
ooff leaped straight up
and came down all four legs stiff,
all the cowboy said as they landed was “ooff!”

flashing inward from the turbulent sea
an angry storm lambasting the bluffs
proclaiming its dominance with sweet mournful ululation
twisting my long hair into whips
wailing face and shoulders with stinging guidance

“come in out of the rain, idiot child,”my mother shouts,
safely sheltered by stone house and carefully placed trees.

but i, clinging to ooff's thick gnarled mane
my legs glued to his powerful blood bay shoulders
face the scavenger storm and laugh jubilantly
i am the storm princess
my forceful chants, my hungry ululation
challenge the storm,
demanding a match race
winner take all...

Reviews

[dan]

Another fine story about a girl and her horse that is so descriptive I feel as if I was there, watching the poem play out in real life. Your descriptive wording is impeccable, creating vivid images to run as if in a film loop through the mind. Very nicely done. take care...dan

[jeannemarie coulter]

thank you, dan, although being ranch raised mean we worked hard all through our growing years we also learned much and had a good life...horses for me were a freedom many children did not have...

[Coyote Poetry]

Photo and words. A very good journey in your words. Your strong description took me with you in the poetry. Thank you for sharing the excellent poetry my dear friend.
Coyote

[JayceeC]

There is nothing like the feel of racing the wind on the back of a horse. Ooff looks a bit like my Geronimo. I find it amazing how each pinto or painted horse has such distinct markings. Thanks for taking us riding through your memories. ..they help "ring back mine.

[....................]

A fine horse for a youthful princess and what a wonderful description of admiration and love for this wonderful animal. I really enjoy your word choice and this is the first time I have read 'ululation' in a poem and your descriptions are always so vivid: I could picture you clinging to that mane... well-done, jeannemarie.

[wordman]

and a brave person you was most kids would have cried and ran in the house.

[jeannemarie coulter]

thank you for the kind words about my work...blessings into infinity...jc

[wordman]

your welcome,and thank you !

[Perkele.7885]

Weren't you lucky to have such a child-hood friend, a horse of all animals named, OOFF. You took care of him and he of you. A great story poem for me to read this night! Thank You for this write!