The Fiercest Horse

I am the fiercest
of the dull horses, their sparkle
tainted by years
aristocratic years
of harsh words
savage, arthritic meditations
ones without vowels, no pauses
allowed
the guttural shaming of a language
has ominously
arrived

you are the one horse
respected but derided
because of your shocking
cover up, the courage felt
is heartrending
but meaningless to riders
imprisoned
by the shame of a language

I am the fiercest
of the free horses
run to valleys, forget
what makes you run
your weakness real
your hatred strong
but I am more fierce
it is a bell that sounds
eternally

September 29, 1997