Hobbyhorse Cavalier
by Odin Roark

Rocking.

Just a few minutes more, I tell her
Almost there.

Remember our primitive forest,
Kitchen chairs,
Chrome legs,
Backs and seats of yellow and green tree tops,
Nesting places for the vultures,
Always present,
Always ready to prey. Remember?

Rocking we did…

Kitchen cabinet canyons,
Scarred timber walls,
Smooth worn handles,
Magic openings,
Caves for hiding.

Here we go…

Passing through familiar terrain now,
Approaching tiered switchback,
The climb we've still trying to finish,
You and me, Shadow.
Rocking the air,
Taking in breath just for us.

Rocking tires me sometimes, though.
So much ground to cover.

Oh, blast it. Enemy approaching.

Why does Nurse Vera
Always eye me, Shadow,
Touch my shoulder?
‘Cause she knows we're almost there?
Almost ready to dismount,
Give your weary legs some rest…
Once we've conquered the top. Right?

But, not today.
Not enough time.
Group time.
Pill time.
Heal time.
That's what they call it, Shadow.
Healing time.

Why do they want to heal our journey?
You know, Shadow?