Fly Away Home

XXIX - Greeting

Celeste and your

soft velvet nose

snorting applewood scented

fur and whiskers stroking cheeks

with the heat of minty grass breath,

careful nip of lips

and eye to eye, fingers stroke

your cheek and that soft,

point behind your nostrils.

Neck outstretched as I scratch that favourite point

behind your shoulders and your lips quiver,

head and neck twisting to find the best place-

you stand, sweeping tail, eyelids half-closed

with thick, wiry white lashes

which stand curled against those large brown eyes.

A half-hearted stamp of hoof in midday heat

flies in your eyes: toss of head

and a gentle flicker of ears, raise of head as I click my tongue

to warn you of my approach,

greeting whinny plodding hooves to the fence.

(26th May 2014)