Fire horse

 

Here's one to celebrate the Chinese year of the fire horse which begins this week. The poem has been around for a good while, but seems appropriate to share it now.

Fire horse

Outside,

a spark jumps,

a thread catches the arc,

flame grows, drops, disappears.

Hold your breath.

Wait.

 

A thin smoke-strand weaves upward,

orange tongue rises,

tastes air;

fire takes hold.

 

Flares erupt  –

angry, flaming breath

ignites the notion 

and

 

a blazing stallion breaks away

across the plain,

eyes flashing, hooves crashing in sparks,

fire trailing from his mane.