A stray cloud from the Rockies
brought snow and a high-up scents,
flakes the size of half dollars
sudden through the April morning.
Horses in the field
downhill from the road
scattered at the sound
of snow out of season,
struck at it with their hooves,
crisscrossed the meadow grass,
their tails waving a rhythm
to outstretched legs.
They whinnied and bucked
along the barbed wire fence
and quick as the snow stopped,
reared and circled back,
put their noses together,
shook winter off.