the ice man

we'd hear

the horses pulling

the wagon

up the street and run

out into the yard.

the ice man

would ring his bell,

then

my mother would come

out with

her money

and lead

the man

around the back

of the house

to where she wanted

the block

of ice to go.

but we couldn't get

enough of

the old horses.

sway back now,

their enormous

legs,

their brown eyes.

they seemed still proud

despite

everything.