Riding High by Janet Autherine

Riding on your high horse above the drama,
looking at all the little people living and loving
recklessly, wondering how they lost their
self-esteem and moral high ground.
Distracted by self-righteousness,
you lose control of the reins
The horse takes off down a dimly lit path,
where there are complexities and grey areas
and seductions.
You fall but surprisingly don’t feel the pain so
you linger, enjoying the view from below,
tasting the depravity,
finally meeting the devil inside.
Shaken. Scared. Ego subdued.
You claw your way back up,
shaking off the dust, absorbing the shame,
fully aware of your humanity
The horse is the same
but it doesn’t recognize its rider.

We judge what we don’t understand.
Poem from the book, Wild Heart, Peaceful Soul
by Janet Autherine.