Horses are hearers of spirits,
shamans with equine sensibilities
alert to vibrations of presences
their human masters cannot hear or see.
The udagan maiden whose tomb was invaded
by modern forensics lay sheathed in suede,
cocooned in a horsehide coat, with a saddle
sealed inside her sarcophagus.
A lavishly beaded chastity belt
heavy with silver, turquoise and jade
still girdled her hips
to keep impure spirits at bay.
It is thought that the energies of such adepts
outlast the host's mortality
by centuries, proof against time and decay,
and are sensed by Siberian horses
who shy at phantasms, passing tumulus graves.
Perhaps they are startled by invisible
riders on spirit-steeds, roaming the taiga...