C. T. Suddeth

Horse’s Tale

Charles Suddeth

We raced through the night,

Larry’s Pontiac belching smoke,

His red hair always tangled,

Even sober he was drunk.

Good ole cheap beer.

Somewhere in Michigan we halted,

Headlights aimed at a barn.

My horse’s here, he slurred.

He led a nag into the pasture.

The fleas bailed out.

It didn’t have a saddle,

I figured he was lost,

We would be hanged,

The fate of horse thieves.

My neck itched.

You gotta ride bareback,

He handed me a rope halter.

Afraid to argue with a drunk,

I climbed on, held tight.

Yippy yi yay!

I was doing just fine,

The mare broke into a trot.

Larry belly laughed,

I wished I was drunk.