I am here

not iconic   not symbol
but flesh  they say I'm timeless
tell that to the ostler  the blacksmith

tell those who mount me  geld me
take my life  between legs
feel my muscle thrum  veins pound

yes I partnered Boudica`  pummeled mud
at Mons   hauled boats from seas
made gods of men in Peru

I am history  but I step down
from vases  no longer heave the Sun
across the heavens  or harvest gold

my nose is warm  velvet-silk they say
flies sup  my blood-heat
birds perch and peck my withers

                                           I wait for you