the horse

you're afraid of horses.
they are too big. too mysterious
with those eyes
black and brown.
those whip tails, the hooves,
stomping the ground. all that hay.
all that noise and breathing.
snorting.
the fear of being kicked
makes you nervous which
in turn makes the horse nervous.
together you do a dance
of fear as you move around
the stable, looking for
a safe place to stand.
meanwhile, she calmly
brushes his mane, feeding
him carrots and cubes
of sugar from her open hand.