THE LONELY WHITE WOLF

chariot

i stand upon a chariot
pulled by two beasts
that i cannot unite.
when they fight,
we must stop.

so much for riding in unnoticed.
my neck and shoulders hurt;
straining against the gold chains.

"move forwards!"
i plead.
they ignore me;
remaining at odds.

i could not see a way out.
the trees had been moving again.
i could not see a way out.
the snow fell heavily;
the darkness smothered us.

"why can't i have what i want?"
because it is not yours,
said the voice.
accept it.
i would not.

they started to fight.
shredding throats 
with scythe like claws.
i doubled over in pain,
never wanting to get up.

"stop hurting us!"
the beasts roared.
i whipped them all the harder.
eventually they collapsed;
exhausted and bloody,
foaming at the mouth.
i lay down next to them,
weeping.

a knight galloped towards us,
riding a gleaming white unicorn.
he offered me his hand,
when i went to take it
he laughed and then scorned
before disappearing entirely.
my poor beasts howled.

i stroked their fur
gently dressing the wounds.
"we'll try again tomorrow."
and slowly they fell asleep,
safe in the relief.