Whinny

C.W.

That she wanted a horse more than anything –

that her father said – a horse – a horse – but where?

That they lived in the suburbs and had a neat lawn

and a garage with two ladders, three bikes, hardly room

for the car never mind a head swinging pony

with a blaze on the nose. That she decided

that she could have a horse and she would –

That she woke up at sunlight –fed her horse Weetabix –

gave it some water – trotted to Canon Lee School –

That mule-drive of a maths lesson – Then playtime –

That she felt the sheer thrill of galloping around

the sports field – neighing and whinnying -

the joyous sun the freedom of a horse and taking it

for a run – that the other girls soon joined in.