Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


BRIGHT HORSEMAN by MIRIAM ALLEN DEFORD

First Line: DARKNESS STANDS EAR-PRICKED, POISED, CHAMPING ITS ICY SNAFFLE
Last Line: AND DARKNESS SEES AND TREMBLES; DARKNESS, BROKEN, OBEYS.
Subject(s): HORSEBACK RIDING;

Darkness stands ear-pricked, poised, champing its icy snaffle,
Pawing the cold electric straw of its airy stall.
Darkness whinnies through cold space; no rare sky-stuff can baffle
Its sharp and delicate hoofs, precisely placing their fall.

Who will conquer darkness, who will mount this black stallion?
From the east comes the glorious rider, his check-reins ablaze,
White flame leaps from his bridle; his saddle -- a flowing medallion:
And darkness sees and trembles; darkness, broken, obeys.



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