In a dust-clouded paddock, a summer stallion,
Not midnight black but deepest brown,
Rolled one eye, expressive and defiant,
Cautiously curious and determined to be dominant.
Tendering my trembling fingers, open
Palm of one hand in silent supplication,
I kept the other in my jacket,
Shuffling cubes of sugar in a pocket,
Relishing the sweet sting of anticipation.
Startled and skittering from a sudden motion
In the wide-angle vision of his other eye,
Both ears were pricked, his head held high.
I pursed my lips into a breathless pucker,
Whistled gently until I heard a nicker,
Watched his muscles ripple in a shimmering gloss
As he lowered his head to bring me into focus
And pressed his firm-lipped whiskery muzzle
Into my hand in the gentlest nuzzle.
Kim M. Russell, 8th November 2020
For Poets and Storytellers United Writers’ Pantry #45: Horses and courses.
Here’s a poem I wrote for Visual Verse, Volume 3 Chapter 11, in September 2016, which I thought appropriate for Rosemary’s post today. I love horses, wonderful creatures and can’t stand horse racing, which I think is cruel and barbaric.
Image by Rolands Varsbergs on Unsplash
writing in north norfolk 
Beautiful rhyme and imagery here.
‘Watched his muscles ripple in a shimmering gloss’ is one line I would pick out, I can visualise this. Well done.
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Horses can be quite affectionate sometimes and relate to their owners (and family) and occasionally play jokes on you.
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Yes, I’ve known a few like that, Robin.
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What a delightful encounter, so beautifully and tenderly related.
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Thank you, Rosemary. I spent a bit of time with horses in Ireland, but never rode.
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I saw a horse once. (Just kidding; I’ve seen horses several times. Once on a menu.)
All kidding aside KR…While I haven’t interacted with horses much, I HAVE read LOTS of good writing, and THIS is in THAT herd.
Salute!
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Thank you, Ron!😊
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“Relishing the sweet sting of anticipation.”
Gorgeous powered line
Happy Sunday
Much💗love
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Thanks Gillena, happy Sunday!
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Nicely done. I could even smell him (not a bad smell at all!), and see the sweat glimmering on his rippling muscles. Not one to underestimate.
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Wow. It must be an awesome feeling when the stallion’s muzzle nuzzled your hand.
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Beautiful 😊
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Thank you so much!😊
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You are welcome. 😊
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I was there and saw and felt the whole thing through your words!
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Me too!
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Thank you, Colleen and Magaly!
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That makes me very happy, Colleen!
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Sweet and exciting all around. I miss horses. There is a kind of joy that comes with interacting in partnership with such a wonderful being. I miss them so much. Sigh.
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They are magnificent animals.
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What a glorious portrayal of a happy moment. I share your feeling about horse racing, but I do so enjoy seeing the magnificent race horses in the fields of the Kentucky horse farms.
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Thanks so much, Bev. My favourites are Shire and Suffolk Punch, huge working horses.
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Nothing much better than spending time with horses, feeding them, grooming them …. riding them. My first experience was as a young girl riding farm horses to pasture when they weren’t working the fields. This was a delightful read.
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Thanks Helen. Although I’ve spent time with horses, sadly I’m not a rider.
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