- Big Horse -



Take Big Horse

And cover him with dirt.

Up to his ears in the conifer forest.

Earth grows hot above his head

But the smell of nettle;

In grandad’s car.

-

When fire outrun the paper mill

Dig up his body and say,

“All’s bad has turned pale.

Rot to soot and there’ll stay”

So scoop up the ashes of him

And parade him down Main Street.

A pure man.

-

Sew him into the gold of hills,

For stilted gum pushed to mud

By pine and oh so many.

Rich for flame and stallion

Starved of all but muscle.

Ravenous.

Once more.





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