The woman doesn’t make a good first impression.
Her hair is dry as straw under a ball cap from
Tractor Supply. Wearing a stiff barn coat and
men’s muck boots that make a hollow flap as
she walks with a limping rhythm, the full bucket
bumping her knee each stride. Her hand is thick,
nails dirty, her little finger frozen in a dainty curve
as if holding a porcelain teacup instead of twenty-
five pounds of alfalfa mush. She knows she should
wear gloves to ease the load, to protect from rusty
nails and rope burn. She knows better, but for the
moment the black bay mare nickers so deep and low
that her boots must stop their shuffle. No choice, the
woman’s hand reaches for the warm place under the
elder mare’s mane, raw fingers resting a moment on
smooth hair. Still majestic, if only in each other’s eye.
…
Anna Blake for Relaxed & Forward
Want more from this horse trainer who writes poetry? Visit annablake.com to see our class schedule, book a live consultation or lesson, subscribe for email delivery of this blog, see the Clinic Schedule or ask a question about the art and science of working with horses. Join us in The Barn, our online training group with video sharing, audio blogs, live chats with Anna, and so much more.
Theres nothing like that touch & the feeling of closeness to that wonderful warm body.
Amen to that. Thanks, Maggie.
Beautiful and moving. Particularly for those “elder mares” among your readership. Be safe Anne, your voice & message are so important to so many.
Thanks, and no worries, I’m hunkered down.
Again, beautiful. Thank you.
Thanks, Ruta, for your reading time.
Warmest place on earth…
Sigh…thanks, Leslie.
Beautiful! Thank you! ?
Thank you, Carolyn.
So sweet! Thanks, Anna.
With a nicker to melt any heart. Thanks, Susan.
Oh God YES and YES and a deep sigh as I try to quash the tears.
It’s the ordinary things… Thanks Kim
Lovely.
Thank you, Caroline.
I just started reading your blog today. I am just about finished reading Barn Dance.
I love your books! I enjoy your writing style and I am learning too. I am a very late in life horse rider/owner. Better late than never ! Keep writing and thank you!
Thanks for giving the book a try, welcome, Peg.
Majestic.
Thanks, Linda
Change that mare for a gelding and I’m in. Thanks for this soulful read, Anna.
Read it as you will. I was remembering someone I miss. Thanks Lynell.
Wow, do I love this and you.
Thanks, Tessa.
Beautiful! When my girls (Quill and Anna) nicker, it’s all over! They bring such joy to my life.
Thanks, Cathy. It’s opera to some of us.
Beautiful, Anna. Brings the tears up again.. must you keep tugging at my heart this way with words , and photo ?
Sarah, I confess. I’m a little emotional about horses, and I have been missing this mare.
Love is the looking glass.
And so easy with horses. Thanks Annie
Beautiful hands are in the eye of the beholder, and to me and likely the mare, these hands you describe are beautiful. What joy, warmth and physical connection brings with our life worn hands. Thanks Anna for another spectacular word picture.
Thanks, Laurie. So many times horsewomen are not the cultural norm on much. And for the better.
A great poem speaks to the reader, evoking not only a clear image but a clear feeling; this is a great poem. <3
#stillmajestic
(I come to you from a share of Edgar Rice Burro's musings; I'm so glad I found you.)
Thank you so much,Lara