Night Of
Nights
On this
night of nights
Snow
squeaks under my boots
Sounds like
little Christmas mice
Fighting
over cookies and milk
I remove
one glove, then the other
Loosen the
girth, slide the saddle off
Give my
chestnut mare a quick brush
Several
pats on her warm thick coated neck
A blue glow
from a bright star
Forges a
path across the winter landscape
Reveals
neat hoof prints that mark the way
From whence
we have come
Yes, we
Though I
traveled undetected
Upon the
broad back of my companion
Could I
prove I was there
Perhaps not
Take it on
faith I will say if challenged
The place
journeyed to
Found
several years ago
When I
dropped the reins
Gave my
mare her head
Feels close
to Heaven
Tonight,
this night, I left prayers
She trimmed
around the tombstone
Upon which
the light always shines brightest
Infant
boy-A child of God- the inscription reads
Each year
it is the same and each year
I marvel at
the sight
My mare
moves so unerringly to
Animals in
the stable talk at midnight
Or so it is
said
In honor of
a birth long ago
Does my
mare speak of the wonders we have seen
I do not
know
Will have
to take it on faith
Our yearly
trek complete
I lead my
mare into the barn
Settle her
in with sweet feed and carrots
Gloves back
on, I give her one last pat
Pull the
heavy wooden door closed
Shut in the
incense of horses, hay and miracles
Snow
squeaks under my boots
On this
night of nights
