In a park in Brussels, Belgium a policewoman cradles the head of a fallen horse in her lap as she looks to someone, anyone, for help. She knows the time has come for the horse’s end. The policewoman, hair streaked with sweat, face covered with tears strokes the great head of the black horse gently. It is laying on its side covered with a blue police blanket and people watch. Adults divert children’s eyes. Police lead their horses away as if the beasts know death will soon be upon a fellow equine. We walk on.

Zvi A. Sesling is Brookline, MA Poet Laureate. He edits Muddy River Poetry Review and is author of four poetry books and three poetry chapbooks. His flash fiction book Secret Behind The Gate will be published in 2021. He has published poetry and flash fiction in the U.S. and internationally. He lives in Brookline, MA with his wife Susan J. Dechter.