The herd stands close as the midday heat
saturates the air, shadows black on the earth,
their bodies held motionless. Stacked head
to tail, shoulder to haunch, a cheek inclined
toward the curve of a flank, eyes soft as
tails barely move flies. Horses so close
that shallow air taken in by one might be
expelled by another. The same formation,
in a few months’ time, will hold snow atop
longer coats, a light steam rising from backs
and nostrils, as white covers the ground,
save the same dark oval claimed by shadow
today. This organism of interdependent souls
welcomes me to circle and watch, stalking
their primal calm, kindly acknowledged but
always separate, a counterfeit on two legs.
…
What a fantastic photo! And the poem ain’t bad either! ? Nancy
On Mon, Aug 13, 2018 at 7:37 AM Relaxed & Forward: AnnaBlakeBlog wrote:
> Anna Blake posted: ” The herd stands close as the midday heat saturates > the air, shadows black on the earth, their bodies held motionless. Stacked > head to tail, shoulder to haunch, a cheek inclined toward the curve of a > flank, eyes soft as tails barely mo” >
Thanks, Nancy. We have a few laying down versions, too. Sometimes I think an 8×10 room would be plenty of space for them. 🙂
love photo and the poem ! you are so talented at finding the words to go with the photo, or is it finding the photo to go with the words ? Regardless, both are lovely ! And yes, a 2 legged counterfeit. I well know that feeling !!!
I think the two parts, verbal and visual, kind of seek each other. I’m the last one to show up. Thanks, Sarah.
Soft and beautiful!
Amazing when you consider the goat… Thanks, Sharon.
Certainly goes to prove how it is possible for different type (& species) of animals can become a herd of their own – part of a family. I’m thinking they are much further evolved than humans are at this point! But then we are the late comers here – with much much more to learn. Dominant species? Hardly.
I agree, Maggie. The llamas would have been there but they were in another pasture.
Love this photo:)
Thanks, Jane
I love the peace in this scene.
Me, too. Thanks, Cindy.
That is so amazing they are all together like that. Your next holiday card!
Thanks, Marianne.
Love the photo and the words! Thanks, once again, Anna!
They are a pretty sweet herd, all right. Thanks Judy.
Good to see Arthur!
Sent from my iPad
>
Arthur is committed to not being a goat, and at the same size as the mini, he’s right. Besides, foolish to argue with a goat. Thanks, Judith. Hope you are well.
Beautiful. I love ‘being’ with them. But the best for me is when they choose to come and ‘be’ with me…sharing my space..my peacefulness. =-)
Thanks, Deb. 🙂
Love the calm affection in this pic!
This group is wonderful, thank you.
Seeing your pictures of well cared for & loved animals always makes me feel better after I read what is being proposed for our wild horses. Sure feels like we, the people, dont have input at all where they are concerned. The idea that an agency of our government thinks that spaying WILD mares is a great way to prevent more reproduction certainly makes clear exactly how little care & compassion exists there. Next on their agenda is selling 24 (twenty four) wild horses at a time (presently the limit is 4). And according the FOIAs, a person will be able to buy 24 horses a day, day after day! I guess this certainly will cut down on the number that are presently existing in holding areas. Pretty hard to comprehend!
Have to add – the only interested parties in truckloads (24) of wild horses most likely will be kill buyers – selling them to slaughter. Sadly, I’m not exaggerating – wish I was.
You’re right, Maggie. Period.