“Out Before the Plow” – by Michael Fralich, Norumbega Farm
Out Before the Plow
The woods outside my windows,
Began to transition from velvet night,
To a new day covered in snow.
Muted tones of brown and needle greens contrasted,
With the brilliance of the gift of new snow.
Going out Mocha signaled her joy.
By rolling in the downy covering.
Fat flakes covered my shoulders and head,
As I slid back the big barn door.
Cyra was standing in her stall,
Beseeching me with patience,
For her morning grain.
My love for her poured from my soul,
Into her different colored big soft eyes.
I slipped her riding halter,
Over her big shaggy head.
I led her to the mounting block,
Already covered in a deep layer of snow.
As we made our way down the drive,
I saw that the town plow had not been by.
Two tracks from a morning commuter,
Were all that greeted us on Woodman Road.
It would have been a day for horse and sleigh,
Cyra’s round tracks would have no companion,
Parallel runner tracks was not for this day.
With radiant joy Mocha was positively aglow.
Silence was our companion until,
The sound of two winged beings,
Greeted our ears as we walked.
A crow caw and the drone of an airplane,
Made me wonder at their choice of flight,
On this very stormy winter’s day.
Turing at the new house perched on the marsh,
I headed home with snow now coming into my face.
I felt little bursts of cold joy,
As each flake landed on my warm skin.
Nearing the barn we heard Teddy’s cry.
A pleading tone expressed his sadness.
We’re almost home Teddy I whispered.
With confidence in Cyra’s studded shoes,
We picked up a trot to end out this morning,
When we got out before the plow.
