Phibby Venable
GATHERING OF HORSES

We couldn't find the horses easily after the winter's thaw
they ran wild in the fresh rum grasses of spring
Even the gelding was undiminished
dreaming past his unkind cut
and into the running mares
Red and blonde burnished tails
aloft and gaining speed
twenty acres of meadowed ground
in wind whistling white and lifting
heavy manes flowing praises
Our calls and haltered hands
passed by with thunderous shaking
as they galloped with God
untamed trembling, delirious and free
in a trance of heart races