Lena, you loved to draw Horses

Lena, you loved to draw horses
in charcoal and lead
at college
I'd watch
from the seat behind
as you sketched
windblown withers
on pointed fetlock
cross shaded rump
alabaster spotted Appaloosa’s
and obsidian Thoroughbred’s
You just called them Black and white
Not understanding
pretension
Or having any comprehension
Of how I wanted you
to ride me
like one of the horses
you loved to draw
we flirted over plastic cups
of mahogany tea
in a minimalist cafeteria
Me, trying to impress
with drawings of clocks
and Steam Punk Britain
But compared to the horses
You loved to draw
they seemed so inferior
later, lying in bed
You said
I was far too critical
and that everything has beauty
not everyone sees it
but I couldn’t stop thinking
of your beautiful horses
that made my art
look so shit.