Did you see that bloody horse?

[mat james]

Diane emailed some pictures, one of which was of a horse;
it took me back to this poem by my poet/mate P R Eason.

Did you see that bloody horse?
(poem by P R Eason)

Five K’s out of Andamooka
We drove on red
To the north emus strutted low bush
Where wild brumbies grazed
To the south.... one horse
A big powerful grey
His right foreleg crooked
Stood meters from the track
Beyond him the country stretched
And seemed to radiate
To the vast pale sky
He stared at me
As we drove by
His unbroken face
Would haunt anyone not free
There was no doubt
His was the face of God
He wore the long serious smile
Which must belong to God
I want to know what it means
To wear that face
About ten K’s on Mat asked suddenly
“Did you see that bloody horse?
He was staring at me”

[Sue]

Like this a lot, thanks.

[Cate]

I agree with Sue, I like this a lot. I love the line 'would haunt anyone not free'.
I just read and enjoyed, a few other poems on line, from his book 'Mystic'.
You have a very talented friend!

[Diane]

This is the P R Easton who wrote the poem about the whale isn't it. What an excellent description of an outback encounter!

His unbroken face
Would haunt anyone not free
There was no doubt
His was the face of God
He wore the long serious smile
Which must belong to God
I want to know what it means
To wear that face

I want to know, too.

horse3s.jpg (54.56 KiB) Viewed 5390 times

All the wild horses
Tethered with tears in their eyes
May no man's touch ever tame
May no man's reigns ever chain you
And may no man's weight ever re-phrase your soul

Ray LaMontagne

[imaginary friend]

I like this poem. Thank you Mat.

About ten K’s on Mat asked suddenly
“Did you see that bloody horse?
He was staring at me”

Were you the 'Mat' referred to above?

[mat james]

Yes. I'm that Mat. And lucky to be so.

[Kush]

Did you see that bloody horse?

yes those bloody horses have been popping up on my email too.

[imaginary friend]

As I drove to work this morning, I was listening to an interview on CBC with an animal conservationist from South Africa; a man who drove from Kuwait to Baghdad, just days after the US invasion, in an effort to rescue animals at the Baghdad Zoo from starvation, injury etc. It took him days longer to get there than he had anticipated (the situation was far more dangerous than media reports suggested), so by the time he gained acces to the zoo, the animals were in dire straits. Many had died, wandered off or been stolen (for food). The Lions had been without food or water for 10 days! Regardless of his own danger, this courageous man set about taking care of the animals as best he could. Few resources were available, and often hard choices had to be made, but conditions gradually improved for the zoo animals as a result of his efforts.

Above preamble indicates the strength of character possessed by this 'caretaker of animals', who stayed on in Baghdad, rescuing animals wherever and however he was able. Here's the part of his story that I related to this thread :

Saddam Hussein had a world renowned stable of Arabian horses, which had disappeared from his palace by the time US troops arrived. The AC investigated, discovered they had been stolen and located where they were hidden, close to Abu Girab. He told the interviewer that he appreciated the beauty of horses as well as anyone else, but these animals were astonishing! He described one in particular, a black one, who was so beautiful, with such regal bearing, that as he stood looking at him, the AC realized that he had unconsciously straightened himself; squared his shoulders and lifted his head – stood to attention, in fact – paying respect in the presence of this magnificent creature.

[~greg]

somewhere between oklahoma and california -


Dylan's greatest song --

All the tired horses in the sun
How'm I supposed to get any ridin' done? Hmm

All the tired horses in the sun
How'm I supposed to get any ridin' done? Hmm

All the tired horses in the sun
How'm I supposed to get any ridin' done? Hmm

All the tired horses in the sun
How'm I supposed to get any ridin' done? Hmm

All the tired horses in the sun
How'm I supposed to get any ridin' done? Hmm

All the tired horses in the sun
How'm I supposed to get any ridin' done? Hmm

[Steven]

Hi Mat,

"His was the face of God." Animals are often anthropomorphized. I don't
recall one being theopomorphized* (to coin a word?). I like the poem
and Diane's posted photo of the horse. I enjoy going to an island that
holds horses that are unshoed and free.

*Except in golden calf type ways.

[linda_lakeside]

My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird "

*sigh* - aye.

[mat james]

I have enjoyed all your reactions/comments and have passed them on to Pete (poet).
I have passed these onto Pete (poet). He was delighted to hear your reactions.

I understand the AC's morph to attention, imaginary friend.
It was staggeringly satisfying to experience that moment with a kindred spirit. You can probably guess what joy it has brought to our conversations since. Many, many times.
The great thing about life is that we can't plan these encounters. If we are on the dusty track and traveling , we have a chance. We need to make the effort to "move" around a bit; so I do.
The "free" ("that bloody horse")are out where the fences have disappeared, or never been erected.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=b3p_Rf0AY6E

Matj

[linda_lakeside]

Great video to tie up (or set free) this thread, Mat. Byrne seems to have a song for all occasions.