This week's prompt is from Kooser's book 'Delights and Shadows', published by Copper Canyon Press.
Horse
In its stall stands the 19th century,
its hide a hot shudder of satin,
head stony and wilful,
an eye brown as a river and watchful:
a sentry a long way ahead
of a hard, dirty army of hooves.
Though I began with great ideas, somehow I lost interest half way through it. Still I posted it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
lording over
on that pedestal, you stand proudly with a fixed stare,
sun reflects your ebony structure wit abandoned glare.
past glories are gone, it is time to consider; reflect upon
what would have happened, if battles had not been won.
combat was the way of life, winning the ultimate prize.
success was measured by seized monies and land size.
it has all come to and end. glorious days have forever
ended. forgotten, hooves held high up, you try to sever
ties with your bygone days. a bit of regret creeps into
the stony heart, chilling it to frost, anaesthetizing unto
nothing. fountains of dust break open the now frozen
thoughts. slowly emerging gleeful feelings are chosen
over sad ones. glimmering scabbard glows even more
sentry duty is taken into stride, heart is no longer sore.
Loved it! You do like those prompts, don't you. Hope you are well Gautami.
ReplyDeleteI like the many readings that can come from this!
ReplyDeleteequally as apropos to humans as horses....
ReplyDeleteI like the fact that the statue is wondering what might have been...
ReplyDeleteWoW You turned that war symbol on its head. I really like the way lyou used rhyme to count time.
ReplyDeleteI pictured a Janjaweed Militiaman rotting away the end of his days in a prison.
ReplyDeleteHooves, scabbards, stony heart.
He is trying to justify his murderous past. A lifetime of wanton disregard for other human beings. Now he must ready himself to meet his maker but all that he sees are the frozen faces of his terrified, young, defenseless, innocent, victims.
ties with your bygone days. a bit of regret creeps into
ReplyDeletethe stony heart, chilling it to frost, anaesthetizing unto
reminds me about my last couple of days.
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ReplyDeleteAh, the what if's return to the barn. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI love the prompt piece. And even though you lost interest halfway through yours, still you managed to come up with some great lines:
ReplyDelete'it has all come to an end. glorious days have forever
ended. forgotten, hooves held high up, you try to sever
ties with your bygone days. a bit of regret creeps into
the stony heart, chilling it to frost, anaesthetizing unto
nothing.'
as bleak as the world looks, a never ending story of endings. painful yet true./
ReplyDeleteThis one was haunting, but besides some of the obvious imagery made me stretch my imagination to piece together the rest. I like a piece that will make me think.
ReplyDeleteHi, Gautami! Loved both poems, but the first one I loved best! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI like them both! :)
ReplyDeleteVery nice. And I agree -- very applicable to humans.
ReplyDeleteMad Kane
I think this is wonderful. You seem to be speaking to a moulded or carved object gleaming in the light, but the message is so much deeper and you give it life. I could read this one many times.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my TOP http://collectingmythoughts.blogspot.com/2007/10/totally-optional-prompt-todays-prompt.html
very lovely
ReplyDelete'A bit of regret creeps into the stony heart.' - more than an observation - here the narrator chooses his feelings and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteHi Gautami, I just thought I'd let you know that I've added you to my NaNoWriMo blogroll. Just five days now... are you excited?
ReplyDeleteHi Gautami,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this poem as i do most of your work. I especially like the rhythm of this poem.
Peace,
Clay
I can see a horse statue.
ReplyDeleteI admire your taking on the challenge of rhyme.
you do so well with these prompts.
ReplyDeletelove yout take on this one.