*

*

My birth certificate says:

She wished to be born a horse.

*

My mother was afraid to let me ride.

My father told me horses were stupid animals.

*

Outside Pickwick Stables where I wandered

the world thrilled to color TV

Rock and roll shook our hips

Elizabeth was crowned queen.

*

What do you want for Christmas?

A horse.

I never got one.

*

But today, while McConnell obstructs

While California smolders

While Haiti starves

I steal a quarter hour to wander Blue Chip Farm

where chestnut and chocolate standard-breds graze.

*

The yearlings feel frisky

They play chase across pastures green as Ireland

Tail flags flying

Running for the fun of it

*

They catch my breath

as does the jumper

whose muscled flanks propel him over the gate

“Put him to it again,” the trainer calls.

*

Before I return to vengeful Republicans

Anti-vaxers

Pregnant woman in Texas planning desperation

I will take this jewel of horse time

and thread it on my necklace

of precious days.