Rocking Horse

courtesy of The Kensington Rocking Horse Company

 

Rocking Horse
A poem by Sarah Moss

He wants to play
with iron and fire
but you don't know the rules
and he won't tell you
he just keeps on playing
'till your dolls fall
their clothing torn
their faces overpainted
their limbs twisted
and pulled apart
you hate his game
his toys spread out
in your playroom
he says he has permission
and he just
keeps
on
playing

he has another toy

a rocking horse

the wood splintered
lips drawn back

he wants to rock you
backward and forward

forward and backward

There are no screams
in the house of loss and haunted dreams

where the rocking horse
never stops rocking

in a room where your dolls lie broken

 

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