As you gaze through time
locked in thought,
that blur rushing by
in the corner of your eye
muscles driving hooves
scuffing up the dust
power pounding through
the corridors of your mind,
is me.
For I am Cody. I am horse. Know me!
When you drove me in
that metal shell
with its rocking walls
and lurching floor,
my body cramped
my soul confined,
were you aware
the one who fears
is me?
For I am Cody. I am horse. Know me!
When you placed me in
that narrow cell
left me in
a stranger’s care
my spirit crushed
by your master’s hand,
did you not feel
the anger deep
in me?
For I am Cody. I am horse. Know me!
As you sat in judgement
together with your peers,
keen to please your master
but troubled by your tears
of what heinous crime
did they accuse me?
Was it my refusal
to let him dance
with me?
For I am Cody. I am horse. Know me!
When you huddle in your sheets
chasing memories in the dark,
do you see my rigid body
strung up by the legs?
Are you splashed by blood
dribbling from my neck?
As you gaze upon my severed head,
can you feel the life you took
from me?
For I am Cody. I am horse. Know me!
As your dogs devour
their gravy stew,
gulp down bits
of grisly bone,
and lick their bowl
until it’s clean,
be aware that
what they eat
is me.
For I am Cody. I am horse. Know me!
Yet as I am a victim,
so too am I strong.
Your sins they are foregiven,
for you know not who you wrong.
I am one with the herd
striding through time.
Wherever you see one of us,
know ever always it
is me.
For I am Cody. I am horse. Know me!
Andrew-Glyn Smail
Cody’s Song