Why We Write (Or: All About My Horse)

I'm in Montana because I had to visit my horse. His name is Robin and he's retired from the Forest Service, twenty-three years old with a white tear drop mark above his nose. There's snow on the ground up here and the collie and the barn cats (who think they're dogs) follow us when we walk across the pasture to the horses. I'm in love with my horse.  He has enormous dignity and patience (except for one tiny moment yesterday when he reared up and decided to head home and to hell with the long ride we were on.) After the ride he nudged me with his nose and pressed against me; I'm sure was apologizing for that one moment of trying to throw me.  Time slows down when I ride him up in the hills.  You can't see a house or a car, there's nothing but hills, blue mountains in the distance and sky. It's one of those times in life when you can say, yes, this moment is perfect.

Why am I telling you about my horse and Montana?  What can you do with this information? I have no idea. But aren't we writers to express our deepest feelings, not only pain but also love that spills over and needs to be defined and examined on the page?  Why else do we write?

Who, what, do you love and why?

Comments

[carol perkins]

I have read a book "Animals in Translation," by Temple Grandin. Do you know about it? I cannot do it justice, but in her book she is analyzing autistic people's ability to communicate with animals. I will never think of animals, of communication among animals and animals, and between animals and people, in ways I thought of them before she taught me other ways to see and think and believe. Temple Grandin designs humane treatment procedures for animals in slaughter houses. That is hard to imagine until you read her own words. There is a novel by Marge Piercy called "Woman on the Edge of Time," written, I think, in 1978 or 79. I used to teach it every time I could in college English and Women's Studies classes. In Piercy's futuristic world, meat is eaten very rarely, and when it is, there is a process of communication between the people and the animal who will be killed and eaten. That is what Temple Grandin's world is like as well.

Your horse moment of zen reminded me of all this, Barbara!

[Barbara]

Carol - Yes,yes. I'm reading ANIMALS IN TRANSLATION right now - I almost added that to the post. Yes, it's an amazing wonderful book. Thanks so much for your comment.

[susan]

so cute. have any more pix to send?

have u seen the secret btw? (thesecret.tv) it mentions how animals give us such positive energy!

[Shani]

How truly magical - thank you for sharing this with us - I was with you on that ride...Best wishes Shani

[Barbara]

Susan and Shani - Thanks for your comments. Watch what you wish for: yes, more pictures of my horse coming soon!

[Pony Tail Club]

You're description of riding was beautiful, and we too have had our share of magical rides. On a handful of occassions when we've been riding and everything was just right, we've stopped and said to each other, "let's never forget this ride."

Magical moments given to us by these creatures we love who will never know how full they've made our lives.