Wild Womans Wanted

The hand-lettered sign said

Wild Woman's Wanted

We all laughed but then I paused

To consider whether I qualified.

I have been broken.

Domesticated.

Reined in.

I no longer side-step or shiver when saddled

Buck off riders

Or rear back with an angry snort

Pawing the air

Showing the fearsome whites of my eyes

When fenced in.

Instead I accept others' burdens and work.

I do as I should.

I graze with my head down.

I come on command.

I step into my stall

Put my head in a bucket

And let the door close behind me.

I have relinquished

My freedom and my power

For lumps of sugar

Sweet words in my ear

A  soothing voice

A pat on the back

A comb in my hair

A roof over my head.

"Wild Woman's Wanted"

Are there any left?

Who’s laughing now? 

(Photo from the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, credited to i.imgur.com on reddit. Came to me via Granola-Grrrl via furiousball via rywright. Photo was titled Hillbilly Craigslist.)