The Ride...
My hands... run across the stallion's neck.. and my body leans into him...
He shakes his mane... a little wild-eyed from anticipation...
He knows his rider... he understands her.
The stallion... paws the ground nervously.
Shifts his feet.
I bury my face in his neck... as my hands run across his sleek body.
I grab a handful of mane...
And I jump onto his back.
He gives a little lunge...
...whoa... Babe.. Take it easy...
I sink in my hips.
I twist my hand in the mane.
I squeeze my knees... into his ribs...
He sinks back on his haunches...
And takes off.
I lean forward... the wind in my face...
My eyes sting a bit... and tears form...
There is a roar in my ears.
I become one with his rhythm.
His neck gets flatter... and flatter...
As he stretches out... into a run.
I hang on... whispering to him.
I feel his strength underneath me.
His breathing... is loud now.
Where will he take me?
I close my eyes for a moment...
And live in the experience.
His tempo is beginning to slow...
White foam sweat... has formed on his neck.
The stallion is spent... but the arch in his neck... shows that he is well pleased with himself.
And I...
And I... am grateful for the gift.
The gift... of "the ride".
He shakes his mane... a little wild-eyed from anticipation...
He knows his rider... he understands her.
The stallion... paws the ground nervously.
Shifts his feet.
I bury my face in his neck... as my hands run across his sleek body.
I grab a handful of mane...
And I jump onto his back.
He gives a little lunge...
...whoa... Babe.. Take it easy...
I sink in my hips.
I twist my hand in the mane.
I squeeze my knees... into his ribs...
He sinks back on his haunches...
And takes off.
I lean forward... the wind in my face...
My eyes sting a bit... and tears form...
There is a roar in my ears.
I become one with his rhythm.
His neck gets flatter... and flatter...
As he stretches out... into a run.
I hang on... whispering to him.
I feel his strength underneath me.
His breathing... is loud now.
Where will he take me?
I close my eyes for a moment...
And live in the experience.
His tempo is beginning to slow...
White foam sweat... has formed on his neck.
The stallion is spent... but the arch in his neck... shows that he is well pleased with himself.
And I...
And I... am grateful for the gift.
The gift... of "the ride".
Labels: Poems
posted by It's me, T.J. at Friday, February 04, 2011
4 Comments:
Thanks for sharing. I could feel the ride with you.
Greetings! Please see the international dog and horse shock incidents on StreetZaps; please disseminate this vital public service to preclude more injuries or tragedies. Many thanks for all your commendable work.
Best,
Blair
Just so you know, I confer with Con Edison's Stray Voltage and Public Affairs Units and contribute to Wet Nose Guide and New York Dog Chat.
HOW TO SLAY AN INVISIBLE DANGER.
Blair Sorrel, Founder
http://www.StreetZaps.com
Contact voltage is a chronic hidden hazard that can readily victimize an unsuspecting dog, walker, or both. No dog lover could possibly observe a more horrifying scene than witnessing his beloved pet instantaneously maimed or tragically electrocuted. When you exercise your pooch, please exercise greater prudence. Common outdoor electrical and metal fixtures may shock or even kill your vulnerable dog. And depending upon the current, the walker will be bitten and like poor Aric Roman, suffer permanently. But you can, indeed, self-protect.
Just start to adopt this simple strategy — EYEBALL THE BLOCK, AND AVOID A SHOCK. Take a few seconds and make your trajectory toward generally safer, free standing, non-conductive surfaces, ie., plastic, wood, cardboard. Intuit your dog’s cues and if it’s resistant, change directions. Work site perimeters may be live so try to elude them. If necessary, switch sides of the street or your hands when leading to skirt hazards. If you traverse the same route, you may memorize locations of potential dangers. Carry your pooch when in doubt. Consider indoor restroom products like PottyPark when external conditions are chancy or RopeNGo’s hardware-free leash and harness. And don’t rely on dog booties as a palliative as they will actually put your pet at even greater risk since the dog can’t tell you they’re leaking! To learn to more, please see StreetZaps. A safer walk is yours year round if you are willing to open to your eyes and mind to it.
T. J. Morgan,
I am editor of publications for the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque. For our upcoming fall issue, I'll have an article on tarantulas and scorpions. I'm seeking permission to use your tarantula photo, Aphonopelma henzi, that appears in Bug Guide, taken May 24, 2008. Use would be one time only. The tarantula appears in green grass, facing front, with four eyes visible.
Many thanks,
Jean Mason
urch@webtv.net
(505) 265-1164
Hey, great blog. I would love for you to comment on my blog about becoming a veterinary technician.
http://www.becomeavet-tech.com
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