On Viewing Colville's Horse and Train

By Lisa Timpf

What compelled you to paint such a disturbing
Image, this coming together of horses
Flesh and iron? Is it written this must occur?
Can it be escaped?

The painting, though haunting, is no less true now
Than the day you first called it into being-
The metaphors abound: those who value life/
Those who would destroy;

The small farmer/the factory farm; Our North
American lifestyle/the global market
And the impact of goods made with cheap labour
Under different rules.

Is our fate in each case inescapable?
Still, I will cheer, against all odds, for the horse
Who carries all are hopes and dreams toward the
Fast onrushing train.   Submitted By: NULL