I’m reading “The Feminine Face of God: The Unfolding of the Sacred in Women” by Sherry Ruth Anderson, Patricia Hopkins and wanted to share this quote with you.
“When I was a girl I would roam through the pastures with my horse, Spotty, and there would be a communion, a great sensuous song of life being sung through us that I have no words for.” Anonymous
These words are so very validating to read; the experience similar to my own. It is only as I grow in years and wisdom that I truly acknowledge the communion with nature, with life, that riding my horse has granted me. A blessing of spirit, “a great sensuous song of life….” Several years ago I attempted to put this wondrous song into a poem. The poem won a first place in a contest held by the East Bay Equestrian Network.
Meadow Music – A Rider’s Song
Meadow music notes of spring
Flow the contour of the hills
Swirl the ponderosa canyons
To the rhythm of gentle hoof beats walking
To the meadow music notes of spring.
Yellow flowers rising, reaching sunburst beauty
To the gentle hoof beats passing through their midst
Walking gentle hoof beats,
One-two, one-two, one-two-three-four.
Meadow grass seeds on their slender stalks
Bow and bob in unison to the rhythm of
The meadow music notes of spring
To the gentle rhythmic hoof beats
Of the mare walking in the horse dimension
Meadow music notes of summer
Simmer warmly through the valley
Wrap round trails traced on hillsides
To the rhythm of muffled hoof beats walking
To the meadow music notes of summer.
Powder puffs of cedar scented dust rise in rhythm
To the muffled hoof beats passing on the path.
Walking muffled hoof beats,
One-two, one-two, one-two-three-four.
Toasted gold by summer solstice
The meadow grass sways in sleepy melody to
The meadow music notes of summer
To the muffled rhythmic hoof beats
Of the mare walking in the horse dimension.
Meadow music notes of autumn
Serenade the oaks and alder,
Decked in glowing passion colors,
To the rhythm of happy hoof beats walking
To the meadow music notes of autumn.
Leaves red and gold shake and shimmy
To happy hoof beats walking in their glory.
Happy walking hoof beats,
One-two, one-two, one-two-three-four.
Parading the yellow leafed road,
Petals of sunlight flutter and fall to
The meadow music notes of autumn
To the gentle rhythmic hoof beats
Of the mare walking in the horse dimension.
Meadow music notes of winter
Sing the blackbirds in the choir loft
Of the ancient oak tree’s branches
To the rhythm of crisp hoof beats walking
To the meadow music notes of winter.
Five hundred voices trilling, singing gospel in god’s house
To crisp hoof beats passing ‘neath their perch.
Crisp walking hoof beats,
One-two, one-two, one-two-three-four.
In the waning light of winter, reflected in the shivering pond,
Barren branches nod to the rhythm of
The meadow music notes of winter
To the crisp rhythmic hoof beats
Of the mare walking in the horse dimension
Lynnea Honn
From the Heart of a Horsewoman 