after Temple Grandin
Herr von Osten taught
the Orlov Trotter how
to read, identify German
composers, calculate,
tell time—carrot, caress,
applause! Berliners plotzed
around the brilliant Hans,
who tapped out twelve
when asked, Hey horse,
what’s five & seven?
Apart from math, Hans
loved the humans in whose
faces he read cues
to keep going or stop.
Smoky Quartz 