The Judas Horse
by Johnsienoel
In the Backyard:
we played cowboys and Indians
on a late summer day.
I, the squaw, wore hair
braided in pigtails, a single
white and black feather
poking out of my head
like a lemur tail peeking
up from the brush
revealing my position
as I scouted them out
incapable of speaking
the boys' language.
we played cowboys and Indians
on a late summer day.
I, the squaw, wore hair
braided in pigtails, a single
white and black feather
poking out of my head
like a lemur tail peeking
up from the brush
revealing my position
as I scouted them out
incapable of speaking
the boys' language.
J. C. brought the ‘Shootin Shells'
cap guns that left smoking puffs
of smelly burned paper
hanging in the air.
pap pap pap
pap pap pap
ricocheted around the yard as I
hoo hoo hoo hoo
hoo hoo hoo hoo'd
through my hand.
The battle was on.
I was unarmed.
Mark dressed the velvet red Stetson,
too big for his head,
like a dandy.
A six year old savior
with fringe on his pockets
flapping as he, the ‘Judas horse'
led me 'round back
where other boys from the block
circled up and corralled me.
The game turned to keep away.
A kiss, ponied up,
bought you freedom.
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Author's Note
Published May 2010 in Referential Magazine:
http://referentialmagazine.com/contents/poetry/the-judas-horse/
Other stories by Johnsienoel
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Wonderful childhood images. I've just been researching BLM Gathers of wild horses, so The Judas Horse caught my eye. Great title.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Jane. I had read an article in The Economist, of all places, about the use of a Judas Horse to round up the Mustangs. It was a heartbreaking account about the loss of freedom. The author recounted how she stood on the bluff and wanted to yell 'Turn around. Turn around and run.'
Really nice work. Childhood visualized. Especially like the middle stanza. Good closing.
Brought back memories of my own, great tribute to childhood. Loved the last two lines - smile -
Peace...
J, this could have finished after the first verse:"as I scouted them out
incapable of speaking
the boys' language." But I liked the longer version, too,esp "A six year old savior
with fringe on his pockets
flapping as he, the ‘Judas horse'
led me 'round back
where other boys from the block
circled up and corralled me." Def fave
Thank you, Sam, Linda & Myra!