The mare, so far away,
a sense of movement in the fields.
I stood watching,
belly nine months large.
Motion rippled through the grass
matched by rushing winds.
Mane flowing, she galloped toward me,
legs in synch with some internal pace
ears pinned against the breeze.
I stared, mesmerized.
She sauntered close, approached the gate
then slowly turned and bent to graze,
beads of sweat upon her flanks
breathing deeply at her task.
I stood watching quietly
until arms jerked reflexively,
hands to back as waves within me
grew to jabs, a quickening pace.
And so I left the mare that day,
neighing softly in the winds.
She watched me as I’d watched her,
when I placed the latch upon the gate
and crosed the creek toward home.
Posting today for OLN at dVerse, the virtual pub for poets. Gayle opens the bar at 3 PM – drop in and imbibe some words!
lillian the home poet 
Good description and depiction of distance. 😊
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Thank you.
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A reminder of your farm days. I like the watching of each other and I think (not sure having never been pregnant) the beginning of your labor. Wonderful moment in time between two watchers.
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This poem came from a class assignment in June, to write about something you see from a distance, and then increasing details as it gets closer. This particular instance did not happen to me, but somehow, it came into my mind — and I was indeed pregnant when we lived in the country, on 15 acres of land with horses and cows grazing in the fields. So perhaps — it’s somewhere inside of me, this scene?
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First I thought you were pregnant, then the mare, finally you again. Very subtle blending!
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yes — it was the likening of the female’s body — to the movement in the grass of the horse seen far away, then galloping forward, picking up pace, getting to the gate, grazing as I stand watching and then feeling that pace within, quickening…
Hard to explain this one. For me, it was almost a mystical writing? Doesn’t make sense I know…but the scene was somehow real for me. A blending of natures.
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Yes, at first I thought the mare was pregnant but then I thought, 9 months for horses to gestate too?? Well, anyway, I did see that it was you who was pregnant and labor began while latching up the gate. I like the ending as you crossed the creek…
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Yes….there’s a mystical blending here — a deliberate confusion in terms of watching nature from afar, then coming closer, then the pace quickening, and then the leaving to go through the gate to home — to a new child coming…it’s just hard for me to explain my feelings about this one.
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Oh this is absolutely lovely ❤️ love the images “Mane flowing, she galloped toward me, legs in synch with some internal pace ears pinned against the breeze. I stared, mesmerized.” Beautifully penned.
Lots of love,
Sanaa
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Thank you , Sanaa. So glad you enjoyed. This was a special one for me to write.
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Lovely lilting piece Lillian – you capture the moment and sentiment beautifully…
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Thank you!
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There is such a strong sense of a moment, a memory that stays… maybe both an end and a beginning it could be a pivot point of a life.. wonderful
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Now this is interesting — so many comments from females and you’ve nailed it here, Bjorn. The pivot point of a life — exactly. The blending of nature and woman’s life…the far coming closer, pace quickening, and a shift in life.
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A beautiful sense of connection between the mare and narrator reminiscent of that unseen bond shared by women.
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Exactly! So glad you enjoyed.
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Great descriptions in this piece.
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Thank you!
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I have a thing about horses and am so fortunate to have them just across the street from our neighborhood. They are a power totem in American Indian lore–understandable.
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They are truly beautiful beings. The connection here — from far away seen as the grasses sway and it comes closer…pace quickens, then the mare and the woman in communion so to speak…and then the shift to a new life….
I can understand how they are a power totem.
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A unique write capturing the intense brooding preceding childbirth…the internal pace, beads of sweat, and sudden quickening. Beautiful scene!
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Smiling I am here. Thank you Lynn for your thoughtful response…..yes.
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Lovely images.
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Thank you!
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I enjoyed this, Lillian. I like horses. 🙂
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They are majestic beings!
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A beautifully woven piece. I especially love that scene, “She watched me as I’d watched her…” ❤
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Ah Maria…..your choice of word “woven” is exactly what is happening in this poem. Thank you for your thoughtful comment!
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as waves within me
grew to jabs, a quickening pace. Lillian, I’m glad you made it to the hospital!
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🙂
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A beautiful description of a moment in time – the calm before the birthing storm…
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Thank you for your reaction! 🙂
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Very vivid pictures, I really loved the poem 🙂
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So glad you enjoyed! 🙂
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I love this capture of a short moment in time, and all the details that you have included.
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Such a lovely, serene flow to this poem. Really enjoyed it. Thanks.
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Now that’s a stunning moment you’ve captured in your poem, Lillian!
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I so treasure those experiences when one “has a moment” with a fellow creature – they have an almost transcendent quality to them and you have captured that so beautifully in this piece.
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I stood watching,
belly nine months large.
A poignant moment to leave a pregnant mare. They can look after themselves perhaps
Hank
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