Horse Latitudes

Horse latitudes are ocean regions between 30 and 35 latitude which tend to contain calm waters and light winds.
18th Century sailors would throw horses overboard when they sailed into these "horse latitudes" in order to lighten the load and conserve food and water.


When the still sea conspires an armor
And her sullen and aborted
Currents breed tiny monsters
True sailing is dead
Awkward instant
And the first animal is jettisoned
Legs furiously pumping
Their stiff green gallop
And heads bob up
Poise
Delicate
Pause
Consent
In mute nostril agony
Carefully refined
And sealed over

Horse Latitudes - The Doors