SNIPPET: Patricia Condon JOHNSTON is the author of a book, "Minnesota's Irish" (1984). Another publication I am aware of is by the Hibernians of Minnesota: "From Ireland to Minnesota: Stories from the Heart." (1996). While I don't know if the American poet James Arlington WRIGHT (1927-1980) had Irish in his background, he wrote a lovely poem about horses with a MN setting titled "A Blessing." Mr. Wright was born and raised in the industrial town of Martin's Ferry, OH, taught at the University of Minnesota, Macalester College in St. Paul, Hunter College in NY and the University of Delaware. A BLESSING Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota, Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass. And the eyes of those Indian ponies Darken with kindness. They have come gladly out of the willows To welcome my friend and me. We step over the barbed wire into the pasture Where they have been grazing all day, alone. They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness That we have come. They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other. There is no loneliness like theirs. At home once more, They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness. I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms. For she has walked over to me And nuzzled my left hand. She is black and white, Her mane falls wild on her forehead, And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear That is delicate as the skin over a girl's wrist, Suddenly I realize That if I stepped out of my body I would break Into blossom. -- James Wright "Good Poems"selected by Garrison Keillor (Penguin/2002)