Appleby Horse Fair - A poem by Mick Yates

Appleby Horse Fair

Skidding wildly down the slippery ramp

young Gypsy lads and lasses ride bareback

on their glistening feral mounts

into the baptismal waters of the River Eden

these aspiring Romany guardians of the genus equus

these water gods and nymphs of this tribal gathering

these natural spiritual acolytes in this ancient ritual

arrogantly parade their pride and expertise

before an admiring audience of onlookers

all deeply envious of their youth their lifestyle

and the sheer wild hedonism of their existence

By Mick Yates

Photo (c) Natasha Quarmby