Rescue; Hound of the Cavale (Rosie 2004 - 2014)

Rescue; Greyhound of the Cavale, 40" x 90", o/c, Steven Rhude

Perfection - ghost rames on pistons - the dykeland was a two hundred and thirty five year old track all her own; Acadian style.

Hard to isolate her when in full stride. Well maybe Eadweard Muybridge could have with stop action photography, but not the human eye.

It's like the way a bullet is judged by sound.
Not velocity - she shot by you before you could turn to defend yourself.

Not that you could, even if you tried - you felt her ribs graze your hip. Saw her face cut through the fog.

Or you thought you did...

Particles of moisture scurrying to collect themselves.
Serves them right for not paying attention to the speed of soul.
Moisture left behind in a wake of necessity.

An escapee - ears up and saved by the bell.

detail

Last seen at Rayham/Taunton in Massachussets - AKA - Mohican Dimple; a gambler's tribal ritual, she turned tricks seventy nine times before being put out to pasture.

  Track rats in sear-sucker suits probably cashed in. Guys who chewed on unlit cigars, spit before betting, and then went to church on Sunday.
Meat - the circuit - meat - the circuit... and so it goes for the Greyhound.

 Intervention,

 Must have been like death row and waiting for a pardon while wheelbarrow loads headed for the bone yard.

 A connection made with a bee keeper - of all people.
 Who once cared for a Whippet -  and knew the turf.
And gave her the coat, knowing the north.

 Trained that way, designed that way,
 speed always burns its fuel fast.

 Her head down and an elegant gait in obeisance to space.
An object of humility mentally recharging, physically adroit with every sinew;

 with every vein...

 with every breath.
Steven Rhude, Wolfville, NS.




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