“One Day I Take the Saddle Off” by Ronda Piszk Broatch

One Day I Take the Saddle Off

cinch the bareback pad on, place my hands 
behind your withers, bend my knee to spring 
and pull myself up. My body

draped over you, I swing my leg across your back,
sit tall, no snaffle, just a curb bit in your mouth, 
reins loose in my hand, heat of your body 

molding me to you, we begin in the arena, 
first at a walk, warming to a jog, you, 
translating my body, me, translating your body, 

my legs pressed against your flesh, firm, gentle, 
no stirrups, no pommel, you, teaching me
balance, that in losing ballast, together our bodies

will in time move seamlessly, closer in trust,
closer to the lope, to the gallop.

Ronda Piszk Broatch

Ronda Piszk Broatch is the author of Chaos Theory for Beginners (MoonPath Press, 2023), finalist for the Sally Albiso Prize, and Lake of Fallen Constellations, (MoonPath Press, 2015). She is the recipient of an Artist Trust GAP Grant. Ronda’s journal publications include Greensboro Review, Blackbird, Sycamore Review, Missouri Review, Palette Poetry, Moon City Review, and NPR News / KUOW’s All Things Considered. She is a graduate student, working toward her MFA at Pacific Lutheran University’s Rainier Writing Workshop.

Headshot: Ronda Piszk Broatch

Photo Credit: Staff