Blue Eyes

Mounted as if a horse, flesh
and bone in passage. The rider
sees an open mouth,
an eye and face, ears perked;
the bedpost, the wall – a horse ridden.

Open eyes look at my open eyes;
as they ride: blue touching black.
Ground chips, soil flies, the rider
rides. A palm below the neck, bends
to lick now and then. Then eyes
shut. Then remain shut.

Movement neighs with the rider’s weight;
A muzzle of sweat leaks; the two
pant and run to finish.

Do horses close eyes to remember eyes
the way I remember those blue eyes?