A Moment Long Ago Poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

A moment long ago

The farmer said he needed sand for the fenced-in chicken run
Off we went, hooking the cart to our tiny female horse that had
been so sweet a foal, she was named Dokka (doll)
The beach was long and empty, the cold water of The North Sea
did not invite bathers
When white-topped waves crashed ashore, the water was
translucent with a hinge of green when the sea retracted
made a world-weary sigh.
When the cart was loaded, it was time for lunch, the farmer's
wife had made a hamper of bread, boiled eggs and cheese;
After lunch and when the farmer had a dram or two, I walked
around feeling great for just being there.
Then I saw two white stallions riding a wave to shore, magnificent
animals with flying manes, galloping to the tree line and
disappearing yonder.
Time to leave, but the horse was not there had been bored by seagrass
began walking home, I ran to fetch her, where she stood confused by
a crossroad, I rode her back to the strand feeling like a king of the world
Going back to the farm, the farmer fell asleep on top of the load
When arriving, the farmer's wife was angry, I unharnessed the horse that
quickly ran to the field where it neighed and snorted, jumping before
settling down, I think she had seen the stallions too.