Patty Barnhart

WHEN I AM AN OLD HORSEWOMAN

Patty Barnhart

When I Am An Old Horsewoman I shall wear turquoise and diamonds,

And a straw hat that doesn’t suit me

And I shall spend my social security on white wine and carrots,

And sit in my alleyway of my barn

And listen to my horses breathe.

I will sneak out in the middle of a summer night

And ride the old bay gelding,

Across the moonstruck meadow If my old bones will allow

And when people come to call, I will smile and nod

As I walk past the gardens to the barn

and show instead the flowers growing inside stalls fresh-lined with straw.

I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair as if it were a jewel

And I will be an embarrassment to ALL

Who will not yet have found the peace in being free to have a horse as a best friend

A friend who waits at midnight hour

With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes

For the kind of woman I will be

When I am old.