Warhorse Poem by Saiom Shriver

What was the reward
for the loyal warhorse
after carrying hundreds of pounds
of weight..running his heart
out great distances..
enduring the cold and hunger
and thirst...falling into freezing
streams because of loads he
had to pull over slippery rocks
falling down hillsides... having
maggots make a home in his
wounds?

What if he survived the bombs,
cannons, guns, and spears of
the 'enemy' as well as friendly
fire and beatings from impatient
soldiers?

He was often killed and eaten.

Even today, barbarism
to horses and donkeys
occurs in Afghanistan and
other warzones.