Oh wild and free

(Refrain by Sarah Zabel)

I'd rather be weathered
Than sit on a shelf,
Like a pretty horse painted
By an artist's brush.

I'd rather be leathered,
Oh wild and free,
Than wait for a hand
To gallop me.

Notions a feathered bed
Can provide some insurance from
Breaking my arm in
An act of endurance
Are useless and common,
So hollow and round.
My emptiness rings
Where I sleep on the ground.

I'd rather be weathered
Than sit on a shelf,
Like a pretty horse painted
By an artist's brush.

I'd rather be leathered,
Oh wild and free,
Than wait for a hand
To gallop me.

Push down into midnight
And punish my hide with your
Fingers of cold and your
Brutal sweet beauty.
We haven't those records of
Who can do who now, so
Dance with my skin, 
Tear me up in your movie.

It's all in the letter
The law is unshaken,
When hens eat the corn and
Get fat on the suet,
Our winter has burned like
An ice storm in August
Undo what is done
Until you must not do it.

I'd rather be weathered
Than sit on a shelf,
Like a pretty horse painted
By an artist's brush.

I'd rather be leathered,
Oh wild and free,
Than wait for a hand
To gallop me.

(10th in the 12-song RainingHorse cycle)