The Summer of Horses
Summertime was far too sweet that year
too poignant-berry, forest-trailing sweet.
Unhinging time, they cantered wild horses,
never touching earth beneath their feet.
She rode a silver steed–Euphoria,
and he, a red roan–Cavalier by name.
They let the horses lead them, unaware
her horse was blind and his was going lame.
Through the forest, over bluffs they rambled
and found a cozy inn beside the road.
“We’ll tie the horses here, and eat,” they said,
never sensing what the place might bode.
As they settled in a sunny-windowed corner
affording them a dazzling ocean view,
they were met with smiles, and graceful hands
and silky voice too honeyed to be true.
They waited, waited, waited for their meal.
She gazed out at the ocean breakers’ gleam,
while restlessly he rose and turned a corner–
unknowing things are rarely what they seem.
Finally food was served by graceful hands,
and silky voice–and pleasing, winsome smile.
They ate; their meals were fine, and yet the two
were vaguely apprehensive all the while.
Time began to move; now they perceived
an air of subtle, hidden treachery
disguised in graceful hands and winsome smile,
and silky voice skilled in duplicity.
“We’re never coming here again,” he said.
She agreed. And when he went to pay
his pockets were empty. As he’d turned that corner
graceful hands had whisked his cash away.
The eyes behind the winsome smile gloated
as the disenchanted couple raced across the lawn
to where they’d tethered the horses–for alas,
Euphoria and Cavalier were gone.
Margaret Longenecker Been
Note: There is the ballad I mentioned in the last blog entry. Balladry is far removed from my usual poetic voice. If you love poetry but have never visited the Ekphrasis page on this site, you might want to try it.
“Ekphrasis” is simply poetry that goes with art or art which reflects a poem. I haven’t added to this page for awhile, but now am inspired to share more of my poems and art in Ekphrasis.
Margaret L. Been — April 24th, 2016
Another note, April 26th: Please visit one of the loveliest websites I’ve ever discovered. Just GOOGLE “Alicia’s Roses” and you’ll get there. You will only wish you’d found it sooner! MLB