A stray cloud from the Rockies
brought snow and a high-up scent,
flakes the size of half dollars
sudden through the April morning.
Horses in a 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.