Carreira de Campo

It was any afternoon
Back to the workhouses
There was a roan and a dapple gray
Crossing the extended meadow

There was an Indian on the roan
On the dapple gray another cowboy
One with a poncho and half back
The other with a handkerchief and hat

They started in a gallop
Where a look sets the race
From the two cork trees
To the crossing of the gate

The reins loose in hand
Against the spur held
Who knows if it's for show
For honor or for sugar cane

I only know they looked like
Two bulls in a sprint
A combat charge
But it was just a race

It had been a while since
A race so even was seen
It was nose to nose
It was ear to ear

The meadow became small
To show how to do
A field race
Jumping mud back

The roan faster
Than a gunshot
Crossed the gate opening
With the Indian waving the poncho

On the dapple gray another shot
Crossed swiftly in a flash
Hat broken on the brim
But firm on the chin strap

Who lost and who won
Crossed like that in a flash
One says he crossed first
The other that he was in the lead