Carousel
Set free – the horses leap out to grass
pause – sit onto angular hocks
stretch stiffness from limbs cramped too long
then snorting – high stepping they buck – run – drop
roll over and over – ease rigid spines
mask paint-bright colours in scuffles of dust.
Heads dipped to graze – they crop rhythmically
followed by shadows on matchstick legs.
Some lie asleep fluting their herby breath
round bellies exposed – while others watch
their eyes wide circles – chiselled ears raised
at jingle jangle notes from a summer fair.
Moving with the sun they drift into shade
rest head to tail – switching at clustered flies.
In order – one by one – they go to drink
dipping dark muzzles into clear water
sucking deep – raising sculpted heads
to shake away a rainbow of drops.
At twilight the horses play – necks entwined
two colts squeal – rise – wrestle chest to chest.
Together the herd runs – fast – now faster
as hurdy-gurdy tunes surge skywards.
They wheel bounding – plunging over the meadow
to lift and fly – spinning across the moon.