5/19/2004

I
ride my horse
alone
along
the mountain trail
where
others have gone
before me
I discover
when I see
the
stack of saddles
abandoned at
the beginning of
the narrow
walk way shelf
leading across
the mountain’s
sheer drop
and
with the
point of departure
clearly marked
I dismount
unsaddle my mare
who has
brought me safely
so far
surprisingly sure
despite my fear
of heights
that
I can
lead us both
to
the other side
which I do
putting
my old mare
out to pasture
there
after
a long life
of service
able now
to get around
on my own
two legs.