Nocturne

A stable of comfort
in winter: Heat rises
off round brown flanks.

The lamp's glow spills
across old stalls, falls against
the dark shank of night.

In this hour, the horses return.
Hooves echo slowly
along the wooden floor.

Around a corner
comes a low hum,
a tuneless song,

just enough to settle
the awkward fury
of a young girl.