HoRsE

because she was dead

I could dream the victim

falling from a cliff,

junk dripping

compensating sperm

because I dare dream

delusion caresses my spirit,

horse charred to death

trapped inside its stable

nobody to bring him out:

tail a rope of blackfire,

teeth bared and choking

because I prefer a dream

of others’ faces before my own,

she resembled a phantom

abandoned forever under her Capricorn ascendant,

cracked red fingernails flinging dirt,

scalded voice scattering frightened seagulls

back the sea

yes, I dreamt the woman

who bridled my teeth,

yanking on the reins

mounting me

indifferent face frozen solid:

“giddy up, Bobby, come on!”

anytime she needed more spring to her spirit:

“come on, horseee!”

strutting and plundering straight ahead

stifling what was left of

 eager higher-minded dreams

1/11/81

Paterson, NJ