We picked our way
Down to the beach
Watching the waves dragging out of our reach
Tangling tails, like a sodden sheet
Dangling entrails from the gut of the sea
Hoarding our meals
Alfalfa and rolls
Trying not to catch the cold eye of the gulls
I hope Mother Nature has not overheard
Though she doles out hurt like a puking bird
We stayed for the winter
No-one told us about the laws of the land
I hold my own
But you, with your hunger
You, on the other hand
Make yourself known
And when we were found
I know we both grieved
My heart made the sound of snow falling from eaves
You and me, Bess, we was as thick as thieves
So I swore nonetheless up and down, it was only me
So they took me away
And after some time
Studying my case, must have made up their minds
By the time you realized I was dying
Must have been too late, I believe you were not lying
It is the day
I wake, with my ears cocked up like a gun
Like every day, of course
Yanked by my wrists
To the sugar-front courtyard
Now tell me, what have I done
It seems I have stolen a horse and
I step to the gallows
Who do you think that you are
Arching your hooves like a crane,
In the shallow gutters
That lights the boulevards,
Crowded with folks who just
Stare as I hang
It's all the same
Kindness comes over me, what was your name
It makes no difference, I'm glad that you came
Forever I'll listen to your glad neighing