Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Thoughts on Loss


Shilo and Nancy.

My mind has been tangled in the manes and tales of horse who have left us, for whom injury, bad turns, and time have dictated they must move on.

This strange collection of horses, this silly internet herd, a blogging band of snorting, bucking, nickering souls - they are somehow part of all of us these days.

I started this prayer/poem/prose in a comment for one, for Denali, then realized there were many more I wanted to share these feeling with. So, I wrote this for those left behind.


We are here for you,
my distant friend.
We hold your hand in the darkened forest
as you lead your companion one last time.

We tie white feathers into the mane,
to help speed the flight for this final journey.

We stand with you,
at the edge of that forest,
as your companion steps into that open meadow,
surrendering at last the limits of this place,
free now,
finally free.

We walk with you,
along the meadow,
stealing glimpses of your noble, dear one,
running along side on the edge of the horizon,
leaping hills, mountains, cloud banks, and then,
impossibly,
into the golden eye of the sun.

And we stay with you in the silence,
for you are never alone,
and with you,
we remember.

18 comments:

Cactus Jack Splash said...

Lovely poem and so well stated.

the7msn said...

So beautiful...she said with tears rolling down her face.

Anonymous said...

Just lovely!

Dan and Betty said...

Very, very nice. Thanks for sharing.

Dan

SolitaireMare said...

In my heart are two of the herd who have gone to the place across the rainbow bridge where I cannot follow. My heart breaks every day they are gone.

Thank you, for remembering.

Wolfie said...

Just lovely - you got me teary-eyed! Thank goodness for waterproof mascara. Thanks for sharing.

Fragrant Liar said...

That was very sweet. Horse and rider are so connected. Well done, my friend, and I'm sorry for these losses.

Jan said...

Breathe, That is a beautiful poem, and such a touching sentiment. Thanks for sharing it.

Grey Horse Matters said...

Beautiful poem. We've all had devastating losses of our hooved friends and soul mates. The important thing to remember is that we were better for having known them and even though they are missed they live on in our memories. I'm thankful for having known them at all.

morningbrayfarm said...

Winter, how beautiful. You put words together in such amazing ways.

Muddy K said...

Simply beautiful. Thank you.

Achieve1dream said...

Beautiful poem! It is so sweet of you to write that for Denali (and the other ones who have been lost). I only recently started following her blog but I already feel like I know her. I just can't get her out of my mind. I'm sure her mom will appreciate this.

Brooke (FBX Adventures - In Parenting) said...

Beautiful poem, so beautiful. Thank you for writing it.

Sarah said...

Dammit, I have cried more in the last few days from reading beautiful, heartfelt tributes and words about horses that have left this earth or are about to. This one is no different.

Absolutely beautiful words-vivid imagery and...well,I'm not a great writer so that's all I've got:) Still, I love this...thanks for sharing. My heart aches for so many going through their own loss right now.

allhorsestuff said...

Oh, this made me cry....but it also made me happy.
Please think about publishing this..there are still many it would touch, so deeply, and sweetly.

I'm sorry for your heart ache, and I too share for I know, someone else's loss was closer.

lytha said...

what a lovely horse. so typy but so big boned!

Victoria Cummings said...

I love your poem. Thanks for sharing it, along with your kindness and friendship. Happy Thanksgiving!

Rising Rainbow said...

Beautiful poem for difficult times.

Horses touch our hearts so deeply we cannot help but ache for their loss. I know I will never get over the loss of my lovely Solidare, dear sweet Image, or the mare that started this all for me, Scandalous. I am a better horsewoman for having had them in my life.