For Stewart N. Parrish

Grandfather,
the snow storm cut short
my trip to attend your funeral.

I-75 was closed to traffic
from Lexington, Kentucky
to Steubenville, Ohio.

Last night,
these years later,
having fallen asleep

on the sofa,
I dreamed of you,
the time we spent

together on the front porch
of your rented house
and talked.

You spoke about your father
and his death when he was 100
after his black stallion reared

and fell backward
in the corral,
taking life.

In my dream,
sadness returned
until you reminded me

of how much you loved
horses and women
as I woke.