I'm not a person, and I want to be Loved not for self but ability My competition mouth and glittering eye Go to the rider who ends my wild, naked life I'm just a body to share and gait to shape And there's so much earth to dominate They say, girl, give over the animal To little men with the wherewithal That they might brush my hair and steal each gnat And with my tail tie a tourniquet Or bind me in a button braid And leave me soaking on my hay I think I'd do well as property I ache to serve men in pageantry I'm a showpiece. I prance, I preen I'm sharp, I'm soft, I'm hard, I bite I'm warm and unrelenting. These are things Men like. And me, I just like things So take thee hoof, take thee tooth and thigh I'll take hand, purse, and ribbons to fly Don't think I'd mind to be well-heeled once shod Long as the heel is high and the rider God