The horse was pale,
paler than the light off the mountain
that reflected back in memories long abandoned

Its mane was long,
longer than the struggle to save what
fortune had vehemently denied me twice

The time was short,
shorter than the flashes of history
that hoofprints trampled in the disappearing snow

The trail was closing,
closing on one last intrepid promise
crying out for life amidst a stampede of death


(Valley Forge Stables: March, 2021)