Two for the Gallows
by A Michigan Skylark
I. Hold
If I asked, you'd hold this rutted road
from blue dawn to moonset
—your smart light feet
gathering our travelled miles in even folds beneath us.
You read me
by knee and heel,
you read me
like a book we wrote together.
II. Choose
A flash of speed's enough to turn a head;
enough—for some—a famous sire, or fancy gait.
But willing's what I saw in your fine face
and try
and love of the work
and grace;
the confidence to go or to refuse,
the confidence
to choose;
and either side that falling star, wise eyes
that brooked no nonsense.
I knew you then for what you'd be:
stout company
when wrathful skies gallowed our travelling.
III. Stay
You know this work,
have done your part a hundred times before
in heavy sun or deceitful purchase.
There are no horns to gore us this time,
though hard will be the pull
before we're done
and every new dawning day in hell
if you and I can't get him home
—no home for us
if you and I don't get this right.
Brother, stay my arm and will
and brother be to him who lies so still
—whose heart beats strong
—whose hurt will mend
—whose future's long
(let no other truth draw down on me).
Brother traveler beneath this doubtful mottled sky
betray no jig or shy until we're through.
Brother of the open way
hold fast
be true.
JH+++T+++JH+++T+++JH+++T
Notes
JH+++T+++JH+++T+++JH+++T
+++/+++
I am not a horsewoman, but I am blessed to know some. This came in very handy when writing this poem. I need to thank Harvey's Mom and Peppy San for their considered opinion on the elements of character—and not just physical conformation—that Jess might have been looking for when he chose Traveler.
Fanfic writers universally remark on Jess' deep affection for Traveler, which is plainly evident to even the most casual viewers of Laramie.
Gallow (singular) is a verb, meaning to frighten. From King Lear, Act 3, Scene 2
"things that love night
Love not such nights as these; the wrathful skies
Gallow the very wanderers of the dark"