The Horse

To save us forever they said, If that old horse climbs up on the sidewalk watch out! He'll swallow you whole when I was five in the summer streets. If that old horse climbs up on the sidewalk dragging the peddler's wagon load of melons. I was five in the summer streets. I knew his wet eyes looking at me dragging the peddler's wagon load of melons. The plums were dark as night in the afternoon. I knew his wet eyes looking at me. Iron bit in his gums. Teeth grinning. The plums were dark as night that afternoon he waited at the curbside, whinnied to the sun. Iron bit in his mouth. Teeth grinning. I touched his flanks. I kissed his dusty mane. He waited at the curbside, whinnied to the sun while they reached for bags full of juicy plums. I touched his flanks. I kissed his dusty mane. The harness rattled. The wagon creaked. They reached for bags full of juicy plums. He shifted his weight, one hoof in the air. The harness rattled. The wagon creaked. I smelled his smell on my hands, my face. He shifted his weight, one hoof in the air. Melons bounced. Plums rolled in the gutter. I smelled his smell on my hands, my face. My heart jumped high in its ivory cage. Melons bounced. Plums rolled in the gutter. Dizzy down the street with love and fear, my heart jumped high in its ivory cage. I hid behind a cellar door and cried. Dizzy down the street with love and fear, Watch out! He'll swallow you whole! I hid behind a cellar door and cried. As if that could save me forever and ever.