Time to Write a Poem

April 6, 2022 The Horsemen

The Horsemen

Clouds of dirt and dust spit rocks,
          churned by pounding hooves
          thundering across the dry, open plain.

Buzkashi is back!

Teams of 10 men, whips held
          in strong teeth, mounted
          on butter fed, endurance trained
          horses, powerful and swift
          battle for sometimes days upon the field.
          These are the Chapandaz!

The prize, the carcass of a calf or goat,
          beheaded, weighted with sand
          wrestled horseback from player to player
          to be carried around a flag and thrown
          into the Circle of Justice.

Man and horse, bodies bumped, whipped, kicked
          and charged, game lasting up to 10 days.
          Brutal, primitive play.
          The National Sport of Afghanistan!

What could we expect?
                                        ~~Judi Van Gorder

Note ▶︎

Prompt: "April 6 Poem--Rabbit Hole"  
The Taliban just reinstated the game after a decade-long ban and then a decade-long pause by war. Games were held in Kabul in March 2022. I first read about the games in a novel in the 70s before Russia's invasion. Having read the book, I felt the Russians didn't have a chance against these people. Ferocious, primitive, and enduring. So when we invaded decades later, I had a similar feeling. I prayed we would quickly find the terrorist camps, destroy them and get out. My love of horses drew me to the games, I cringe at its brutality and unavoidable injury to these noble animals and yet the game fascinates me and I see it as the character of the Afghani. It is a defining element of their culture which needs to be honored.

Didn't really need Wikipedia but for more info: Wiki - Buzkashi