I've never seen a horse like you before
Your coat is the same dark bay as mine
But with a blanket of white over your hips
And are those spots—or just the brown
Showing through?
You're beautiful, but you're still
Just a horse like me
We may speak different dialects
But our basic nature is the same
Our riders fell during the battle but we stand
Nose to nose, wondering if perhaps
We too should fight
But why? We're both horses

I can tell from your tack—or lack thereof—
That your rider was a better horseman
Than the fool who rode me
And he was proud of you, he put a
Feather in your mane, paint around your eye
Decorations like the medals my rider wore
He got them for shooting men like the one
Who fell off of you
How is that brave?
Why kill each other?
They're both humans
If you and I can stand nose to nose
Without pawing or stamping
Why can't they?

And what do we do now?
I'm tired of endless patrols in all weather
My rider shifting in ways that
Made the saddle hurt, his hands too
Tight on the reins, pulling the bit harder
Than he needed too—you wear only a loop
Like the hackamore they once trained me in
Before they stuck metal in my mouth and
Called me broken
I don't want to go back
Let's run these prairies without men
I know I smell funny; I know I'm not a stallion
Anymore and you are, but the wind
Whips my mane the same as yours
I'm strong and I can run all day
I've proven it far too many times
Let's find a place where men won't find us
Far from the blood and the noise
And the huge iron snake that runs through
The land, belching smoke

You won't leave him?
You...love him?
And his people will come for you?
All right, I won't make a fuss
But I'm not waiting around
And a word of advice:
If my people get here before yours do
Run