Collection Plate for the Palomino

preacher passed
around the collection
plate but they had something
different in mind

that palomino
cut from the herd
congregation knew
she was special

green meadow
where she roamed
god channeled the creek

and all hell broke loose
several bystanders
wild mare 'n god almighty

twenty five dollars boot money
or--collection plate money rather
one says to another you break her

that lucky one vaulted the saddle
landed upright on the wild mare's back
she bucked it off--let her eyes to the ground

quicker than preacher's plate passing
the woman threw a rope 'n landed her
collection plate money better spent

Copyright Ms. Sage Sweetwater, firebrand lesbian novelist