Open Poetry #37 |
This Is Not a Poem About My Horse |
OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
This is about when he was alive. He went to Heaven on 28 April 2002. THIS IS NOT A POEM ABOUT MY HORSE July 1999 This is not a poem about my horse. It is not even a poem. In fact, it is a non-poem - a non-poem that would not be worthy of my horse if it had been a poem about my horse. I have mentioned his velvety sun-warmed, winter coat in one poem, and in others, the solace that his companionship brings; I have even written a whole poem about his wisdom and healing capacities, but I am neither capable nor worthy of writing about all of him all in one poem. Neither would Shakespeare, nor Wordsworth nor Blake, if any of these Williams had been alive today. Shakespeare would not have understood at all. Wordsworth would only have gloried in his beauty. Blake would only have loved him. None of them could have bonded with him as I do. You may think that you understand. but you can’t - not fully. It’s not your fault. My children and my cat and my horse’s previous owner understand more than any. To understand fully, you would need to have lived for fifty-three and two thirds years; and you would need to understand the horseness of a horse; and you would need to be owned by only one horse in all your life, and that for seventeen and two thirds years; and you would need to have seen him on average a little more than once a day for seventeen and two thirds years and that makes more than 6424 times; and the horse would need to be my horse, Flicka; and because he is only thirty-four and two thirds years mature, and because his previous owner didn’t own him for the first seventeen and one third years, I am the only person in All Time, to understand to the capacity that I do, the glory and the love that is Flicka. - Owl |
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© Copyright 2006 Diana van den Berg - All Rights Reserved | |||
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Diana...You got me into a big smile with your title and all those words that were not about your horse. I know I can't understand the way you do, but what I do understand, is love...and I can see very plainly that you loved and continue to love Flicka, as I do Michelle. Perhaps they frolic together in a meadow on the other side...would that be alright with you? |
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Skyfire
since 2000-12-27
Posts 3381Riding |
I love this non poem that's not about Flicka There's nothing worse than losing one (I lost one a year ago this March 28) and then He created the horse... |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
brought a smile of memories to my face so loved the way you composed this hugs to ya |
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The Lady Member Rara Avis
since 2005-12-26
Posts 7634The Southwest |
I can never understand either Diana... but oh, the love in this poem is strong. Beautiful. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Some may not understand, but I believe I'm coming close to it... and I sense that many of us, even those not here, are reading this, and smiling, as they watch Flicka romp in green, green, fields... |
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OwlSA Member Rara Avis
since 2005-11-07
Posts 9347Durban, South Africa |
Oh, yes, Martie!!! It’s more than all right with me! I’d love Michelle and Flicka to be frolicking together. That would be so wonderful for both of them (and you and I). Thanks for the big smile and thanks for seeing how lovable Flicka is. Skyfire, thanks for enjoying Flicka. I ache with you for losing the horse you lost a year ago this 28 March. Thanks Lee for the hugs and enjoying my non-poem and I am glad it brought you a smile of memories (what a lovely way to put that, but then you are Lee the wordsmith, aren’t you? So it isn’t surprising). Thank you Kate for understanding Flicka’s immense power of love. It came from him to all who met him and reflected back to him – and still does with me. Sunshine, I too, believe that you come extremely close to understanding. And I am overjoyed at: “and I sense that many of us, even those not here, are reading this, and smiling, as they watch Flicka romp in green, green, fields...” I have read it so many times already. Thank you so very, very much for that. - Owl |
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