Ladies and Gentlemen This is a Horse

Ladies and Gentlemen This is a Horse
as Magritte Might Paint Him

Consider this percheron in the climate-
controlled hold, gimped up for the flight
in blinkers and bridle and drugged of course
from the creased Jupiter of his arse
to the spotted dominoes of his teeth,
the burden of his blood alone,
the clapper seized in his brain’s bell,
propped up on steel and the air’s goodwill.
Ladies and Gentlemen – will you fill your glasses?
May I lead us all in a toast or prayer?
May the horse never wake
that stands in mid-air

the horse never wake that stands in

mid-air

horse never wake that stands in

mid-air

from Nigh-No-Place (Bloodaxe,2008), © Jen Hadfield 2008, used by permission of the author and the publisher

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