An Inside View

I recently finished reading, “A Flare from Deep in the Forest” by Holly Harden. This brief essay spoke to me, moved me, and inspired me. Below is my free-write response.

I write because I can’t sing.

I write because I listen to the words as I put them on the paper.

I write because I feel the music of nature.

I write because I am the emotion.

I carry the emotion in my mind, my heart, in my eyes.

I write because it connects me to a life I cannot express, to a world which doesn’t listen, to a body that is growing old.

picture credit: unknown

Calling

Soaring high above fertile grounds I see your eyes upon me,
Watching, waiting patiently, like a wolf
In pin-stripped clothing.

Your call is sweet
tender and warm, I hear it
flying through trees

my body burns hot
like the fire inside
ignited by carnal desire.

Swiftly you glide in
wrapping me in your arms
I struggle for a moment
then I bend,
as your lips caress
and fingertips
lift
fulfilling ecstasy begins.

picture credit: unknown

The Search

pic credit: http://selenart.deviantart.com/art/Turn-my-tears-into-roses-66065478

Standing at the edge
Spiraling
Down
No one
Hears
Inside

Standing at the edge
Scanning
Around
Hope
Stands
Alone

Standing at the edge
Searching
Above
Raising Arms
No one
Hears
Inside
Hope
Stands alone
Falling
Rain

Birthing of New Beginnings

“Oh my God!”
Echoes from Jill and my mom. Tears streaming down their faces.

Jill whispers, “This is the most awesome thing I’ve ever seen.”

Watching in total awe, words escape me as I watch a beautiful, dark baby foal, wrapped in its white birthing sack, emerge from Phantom. The sack reminds me of the tight, plastic gloves I wore just an hour before as I did the evening dishes.

My mom is on her knees, pulling and guiding Phantom’s new gift into the world. Softly she whispers, “When one life is taken, another life is given.”

The next few minutes pass quietly as mother and baby rest on the straw and hay bed. Tenderly, Phantom begins to lick and clean her new arrival. Once clean, instinctively the new foal attempts to stand. I notice how she appears to be an unstable puppet with invisible strings. Her spindle legs wobble back and forth until she falls down onto her soft bed.

Phantom, noticing how her new foal is struggling; she shows her how to stand. Intently the new foal watches her mother. Many attempts later, success at last.

The new foal is a dark bay. Her black stocking legs proudly hold her dark brown body. She appears like a trophy on display.

The evening sun has settled itself behind the green mountains. The sky brightly lit with glowing stars and a crescent moon. Inside the barn walls, fluorescent lights are shining as our shadows appear, reminiscent of attached ghosts. Standing there, the three of us, each with an arm wrapped around the waist of the other. Crying.

I turn and hug my mom tight. Slowly walking over to Phantom, I settle on my knees. Her dark brownie eyes look up at me as I pick up her head, cradling it in my arms. My tears flowing freely. I stroke her long, thin nose, whispering in her ear, “She’s perfect Phantom. Just perfect.”

Standing on the foal’s bed, my mom and Jill caress the new arrival. Quietly, my mom recites to herself, “When one life is taken, another life is given.”

A year had passed since my dad’s death. The tragedy of his accident will always be a painful memory for me; yet at the same time, I am now more aware that life continues on. Death accompanies life, and rebirth follows.

In another year I hope that Phantom and I will once again enter the show ring. And Phantom’s new foal Destiny? She will begin her own story.

Pic credit: http://www.friesiansspectacular.com/images/marefoalM.jpghttp