Somehow during the clattering night
at the quonset
Zepata and Irena in their cabin found sleep
the devoted creek-ets too slept
but only after hearing the snores of Zepata
did they stop rubbing their own parts together
all very long songs over

The bedclothing on the bed
of tree trunks and 1000 lb test
lariat rope
the bedclothing oh my
Again
Irena chose to soak them for starters
in Zepata's unemptied bath water
til a return

Irena built up the fire for coffee
and shaved soap chips for clean-up
with the large blade she always wore
at the back of her neck
hidden within her long black hair
the sheath strappage appearing to be a choker
necklace ah yes she was clev-oor

She checked her kit:
twin balanced 45 calibre pistolas;
over her shoulders went
the holstered dual bandoliers
crossing between her taut breasts;
all cartridge loops full
and leather thongs tied around each
of her muscular thighs

Thighs which could cause Zepata
to yell ouch Ai yai yai;
a grenade in the usual place;
sewing needles and thread;
pemmican;
iodine, cotton sheeting for
bandages or sling;

silver bicep bracelets with
hinged turquoise cabechons
behind which - check - the
cyanide capsules in event of capture;
for the Federalis meant to kill them
for a long time with many inhumanities
on sight ha ha

Saddle bags filled with flour, salt
bacon
canteens (8) filled with
mountain stream water;
flintrock; several changes of socks;
her spiked wrist bands;
signal mirror, binoculars,
sack of gold coinage;

fish hooks; high-cuff leather gloves;
two large rolls adhesive tape;
medicinal and recreational whisky;
20 feet leather thonging;
sighted-in rifle; 35 yards fusing
and sulphur matches, large box of same

Zepata rolled away the stone next
to Dayo's quonset and put 24 sticks of
seized RR blasting dynamite
into a long leather hide and rolled
it so that it made a double compartment
one for each of Dayo's haunches

We becawm one with May He Ko
he chuckles to El Dayo
if a boolet hits here
he slaps the double bag arrangement
as he secures it to the saddle
Dayo snorts defiantly his
No Way amigo

Dayo stomps his hooves
and shows the whites of his eyes
his head tossing up and down
in anticipation of new battle
He will stride just a little ahead of Mare
There will be enemy fire

As always Mare will try to achieve
the lead position
and as always
Irene will say
I not doing that, my greatest love
Mare she always wants to lead
I cannot help

Mare also carries hidden grenadage
No freighting opportunity
is ever overlooked by Irena
or Goddess of the Sun as the
peasants call after her
when they pass the poor villages

All this preparation took place in
the first light of day
El Dayo and Mare stand only a yard apart
and the spurs on both Zepata's and Irena's
boots jing-jing in concert as the two
fighters for the downtrodden
march in step to their mounts

Hep Hep
shouts Zepata
Two sinewy legs simultaneously
attain socketage in stirrups
Two sinewy legs simultaneously
arc over the horses' hind quarters

And they are off
A more splendid sight there never was
Sigh the creek-ets
Waving tiny bandanas from the window
Where they will watch a very long time

[6-3-98]