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Open Poetry #42
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OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

0 posted 2008-06-16 09:12 AM



GREY DAY
21 August 2005

This grey-green, forest day
is pregnant
with silent mists
and soft, soft rain
and sad, secret longings

. . . and over the hills
and far away
where you, my darling horse, lie,
under a three-and-a-half-year, guardian, plane tree
and green, green grass
and a heart-shaped flower bed
bordered with white alyssum
heart-visible in the moonlight
enclosing cat-face pansies and blue lobelias and felicias,
and golden calendulas and pink begonias and multi-coloured petunias
all of which I water and tend once a week,
may the rain
be touching and blessing you gently
in preparation
for my fourth searing spring
without you.

- Owl

© Copyright 2008 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved
2islander2
Member Ascendant
since 2008-03-12
Posts 6825
by the sea
1 posted 2008-06-16 10:31 AM


Hello Owl, I wish I could see your garden, it's seems marvellous even with some kind of mist.

  Regards

   yann

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
2 posted 2008-06-16 10:51 AM


Thank you Yann.  It isn't the garden on my property, but about 45 kms away on a horse farm, where my beloved Flicka is buried.  

At the present moment (the poem was written in 2005), it isn't what it should be because I can't get there because I can't afford to fix the back shocks on my car, nor have my car's engine replaced to get there - there is a rough very corrugated dirt road, which I know had a lot to do with losing my car's back shocks in the first place.  

It tears my heart into shreds not to get there any more, every Saturday afternoon where "peace comes dropping slow" (à la WB Yeats) as I work at Flicka's graveside garden.

- Owl

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
3 posted 2008-06-16 11:07 AM


What a tender write. Flicka's garden, sounds glorious ~ as is befitting his 'gloriousness'.

I'm sorry to hear of your car troubles and your inability to visit him and to tend to his garden. He knows you are there in spirit and with a love garden in your heart.

With love and a warm hug,
Linda


OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
4 posted 2008-06-16 11:17 AM


Oh, Linda, that is such a beautiful reply.  Yes, I know he knows I am there and he hears me talking to him every day, but it is good to hear it coming from somebody else.  I sob many gut-wrenching sobs for not being able to get to his grave - I need the peace of being there.  

However, I had never thought of a love garden in my heart. I love it! Flicka will love that concept too when I tell him - and I will tell him that the idea comes from Auntie Linda!

- Owl

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215
Realms of Light
5 posted 2008-06-16 12:25 PM


Please tell Flicka that Auntie Linda sends him a kiss on the nose and a nuzzle on his neck ~ and lots of love! ~ but then, I do believe he already knows that!

Mwwaaah to you both!
Linda

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
6 posted 2008-06-16 12:40 PM


Oh, Linda, thank you, I will!  Flicka LOVES kisses on the nose and nuzzles on the neck.  (He likes hugs round his neck too, so I'll send him some of those from you too!)  And, YES, he knows Auntie Linda loves him, but he will never tire of hearing it!  Oh, and of course, he adores Auntie Linda, as I am sure you must know!

- Owl

Marchmadness
Member Rara Avis
since 2007-09-16
Posts 9271
So. El Monte, California
7 posted 2008-06-16 03:15 PM


Oh, Owl it made me cry to know you can't tend Flicka's garden but Linda is right.
Flicka knows you will always be there for him.
                               Ida

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
8 posted 2008-06-16 03:18 PM


Thank you Ida.  Flicka is healing your tears with his love.  I will get there again, somehow, but I need to spend a fortune on my car first and I need to amass that first, but I will get there again, somehow.

- Owl

patricias closet
Junior Member
since 2008-06-16
Posts 13

9 posted 2008-06-18 09:59 AM


Your beautiful tribute to your horse gives credence to the relationship between pet and pet owners all over Thank you for sharing this.
OwlSA
Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa
10 posted 2008-06-18 11:17 AM


Thank you Patricia.  As much as I love all animals, my darling Flicka truly was the most wonderful horse in the world.  Smiles.

- Owl


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