No white mares, please

Image credit here

There was no need for white steeds, harnessed mares

you could have come on your own two feet, straight

and unafraid, like a pilgrim without finery, bare

of foot, and I’d have still unlatched the gate.

There’s enough water to pour at your feet

to wash you clean, there’s enough grain and fire

to sear fish and flesh, enough to drink and eat

you needn’t have brought a single sapphire.

All we need is here in front of my eyes

an ear of fresh grain’s tucked behind my ear

a jug of water silvered by the moonrise

and the distant riversong, soft but clear.

Drop the reins, turn her loose, let go your mare

come with your dusty feet, love needs no fanfare.

Very much in the wedding mode here and now! Indian grooms traditionally come in a procession to the bride's home to marry, in some parts of India, they ride a mare.  Warli is the name of a tribe in Western India who make these astounding paintings on the walls of their house with rice paste as temporary decorations for festivals.