A Couple of Poems
Posted: Wednesday, September 01, 2010
by Dianne Lehmann
Artisan Jewelry from SyZyGy
Ever since I first started working with horses, they have inspired me to write poems. I'm not all together certain where some of the poems have come from. Sometimes, I think they send them to me and I am just the conduit they have chosen to get their word out into the world.
The first poem, "When a Horse Says No," was written after a long, hot dusty day working with three wild mustangs. We were moving them to their new digs and this would be the first time in the couple of months they'd been at the horse rescue that they would be separated from each other for a while. They were not happy about it. Just getting a halter and lead rope on the first of them was a major endeavor. But with kindness, compassion and a lot of patience we got them moved without injury to them. Can't say the same about myself. I certainly learned a lot that day.
After I showed that poem to my good friend who owns the horse that I ride, she challenged me to write a poem about when a horse says hello. This kind of went counter to my basic approach of letting the poem come to me. But the idea simmered around in my brain for days and then one of her horses gave me the answer.
I've been encouraged by some of the readers on SearchWarp to submit more of my poems. I hope you enjoy these at least a little.
"When a Horse Says No"
When a horse says no,
He is really saying maybe …
I don't know …
I might if I knew a little more.
When a horse says no,
He will look at you
And make an assessment …
How far can I push this not-horse?
When a horse says no,
He wants to know
What's in it for him …
A cookie, some praise, a little rest?
When a horse says no,
He might be afraid,
Or in a bad mood.
For sure he is conflicted, confused.
When a horse says no,
You have to ask yourself why
And what you can do to help him understand
That all you want is one little yes.
"When a Horse Says Hello"
When a horse says hello,
Stand quietly for a moment and
Bask in the glow.
When a horse says hello,
She may be shy at first.
Just stand still and wait.
When a horse says hello,
Do not look her directly in the eye
Or walk quickly to her.
When a horse says hello,
She will do it in her own time …
Horse time.
When a horse walks up to you in greeting,
Unbidden,
It is a moment of true grace.
Your horses could have done much worse in choosing a narrator. Very nice, are they afraid of mice?Hi David.They are afraid of everything and anything. It rotates from one day to the next. One day it's shadows. The next day it's that blue tarp that has been blowing around in the wind for the last two weeks. But mice ... I don't know. Magic, a big black Percheron stallion doesn't seem to mind the two squirrels that come to drink out of his trough. Now if they came with apples or licorice or bread, he might pay them some attention. :)Maybe I'll submit a couple more of my horse inspired poems. Mostly that's what I seem to write right now anyway. ;)Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it very much.Hugs,Dianne
You hear "horse" language and express it so well in these poems! thanks for sharing them with your readers.Hi Marijo.I wish I understood Horse a lot better. My friend and her daughter are intuitives and what they perceive is so much more rich than what I "hear." But they tell me that I express it better than they could and that I must be "hearing" just fine on some level. It's just not necessarily conscious.Thanks for reading and for your generous comments!Hugs,Dianne
Very nice Dianne. I've had minimal personal contact with horses, but have always thought they are the most beautiful animals on the planet, bar none. Thanks for giving us more of your poems.Hi Joyce.I couldn't agree with you more. But then I tend to think that of those I love regardless the reality. :) Besides, beauty is subjective.I'll have to look through my other poems (not about horses :)) and see if I think any are worthy of SW.Thanks for reading and commenting.Hugs,Dianne
Dianne,This is cute. I like horses and I like feeding them carrots. I've never met a horse that said no to a carrot.Hi B2C.And if you did, I'd look twice ... it probably isn't a horse! I've been taking apples from our neighbors tree and the horses just adore those as well. Our neighbor said I could take as many as I like and it's easy because most of the branches are weighted to the ground on our side of the fence by all the apples on them. :) They like licorice and peppermint a lot too. The other day as I was walking the horse I ride back to the stables, the owners husband was giving jerky treats to the dogs and my horse was curious. So he gave him a small piece and d*** if he didn't eat it!Just be sure to watch your fingers while feeding them! So do you ride?Hugs,DianneI don't ride... my dad lives in a rural area and I used to see horses nearby. Perhaps I will ride someday though. I love animals in general.I love animals in general too. Actually, I have met only one or two in my 58 years that I didn't like and it wasn't their fault. I'm talking wild and domestic. But I seem to have made a very special connection with horses. Go figure. I always thought it would be dogs. Anyway, I can wholeheartedly recommend spending time with horses in any capacity. Get out there! :)
Wow wow wow...Very beautiful and well written... Thanks for sharing...I also tried to write a poem recently. Can give your feedback & suggestion.Hi Chiradeep.Thanks so much for your endorsement. I'd be happy for any suggestions you might make.Thanks for stopping by.Big hugs,Dianne
Good poem Dianne, thanks for sharing.Hi David.Thanks so much for reading them and taking time to let me know that you did!Hugs,Dianne
WONDERFUL!!! Really beautiful stuff, Dianne. Keep writing your poetry. And, if it turns out you are "the conduit", even better! BRAVO!Hi Camille.It really does feel that way sometimes. I've had some dreams that seem to be clear messages as well. It's a whole new world for me.Thanks for the compliments. Coming from a lover of horses of your caliber, I really appreciate it.Many hugs,Dianne
I don't really know anything about horses Diane but I did enjoy the poems and I could see the one horse walking up to me and gently nudging me. Thanks for sharing., Linda DHi Linda.It is really wonderful when a horse comes of its own free will to be with you. Of all the domesticated animals we humans work with, horses have always seemed to me to have retained the most of their wild nature. So to be so graced by their willing presence really is a blessing. And there is nothing that quite compares to their soft noses, bristly whiskers and warm breath on you hands! I think Bernd sometimes wonders if he should be jealous. :) Just kidding really!Thank you for reading them.Hugs,Dianne
I had two horses growing up with my grandfather... the ones with the big husks, dont know the techncal name, but had a great time with them.Hi James.Did you ride much? Or did you just hang out with them? Either way, it's good isn't it.I don't know what you mean my "husks." On what part of a horse's body would they be found? Just curious.Thanks so much for reading my silly poetry.Hugs,Dianne
I knew there was a reason I was gravitating to your articles - wow I love your Horse! Let a horse come to you - don't rush - and all the other wise observations in your poem - awesome! I'm so glad you wrote and I read.Hi Heidi, again. :)The horses have taught me so much. Sometimes it seems like I've known them all my life and yet it's only been about a year and a half. Every time I go visit and ride, I learn something new. It's a really great gift that my friend has given me. I'm glad that it all comes through in my poems.I'm glad you're glad. :)Hugs,Dianne
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