Seahorses

Tethered, silent seahorses stand,
bridled heads bowed in
obedience to taut high tension reins.
Seagulls circle, laugh at their plight
as hidden riders stirrup their sway to
spur and whip them into commercial toil.
Heavy burdens saddle proud necks as
iron tracks deny freedom to swim
in diamond studded waters and
open seas to escape captivity
and discard the bits that bind.