Watchers

Through willow mazes near impenetrable in noonday August heat

cuts the canoe, voyageurs seeking passage to the lake beyond.

Movement on the bank ahead. Back-paddle

and halt. What danger?

A horse's head appears, emerging to investigate the intruders

and then another, and another.

More horses, half-hidden, rest in the willow thicket

all of them wild.

Five sorrel mares walk out and display themselves

curling upper lips in delight as they drink.

Five sorrel mares observe their observers—

how rare to see humans, and so close up!

Watching with sidelong horse sight, never all drinking at once,

the mares listen to the murmur of voices over water,

to the clunk of paddles against gunwales

to the slurp of paddles dipping, holding the canoe in place

Connoisseurs, they catch the savor of sunscreen

worked into paddle handles, and the bouquet of human sweat.

How long will each group stand still and stare at the other?

Who has the most time to spare?

Appeared in Canary (Summer 2020)

Photo: Rose Barrett