A WILD MUSTANG'S FINAL HOUR
...and there she lay, quietly alone
gazing above at the sky
the waxing of the moon formed a crescent
that reflected in her eyes-
a breeze sent down from the heavens
ever so softly tossled her mane
the night time sounds engulfed her
and soon she would be out of pain-
and there she lay, quietly alone
as clouds began to fill the sky
bearing drops from seas and rivers
they soon began to cry-
and there she lay quietly alone
until something touched her soul
ever so softly she slipped away
the thunder began to roll-
and all the fields and valleys
welcomed the gift of rain
as Mother Nature stood back
to watch her cycle of birth again...
���������� Linda Rowan 1988
Once upon a time and not so long ago, there was a little foal who breathed his first breath of life in a beautiful stable, with soft bedding, his proud dam, and surrounded by all the wealthy humans. He was stumbling to his trembling feet trying to steady himself on his brand new legs. Everyone around him ooh'ed and awed. " What a beautiful show horse he will make some day", exclaimed an observer. As time went on, the beautiful little colt was groomed, and spoiled rotten. When he nickered he was sure to get his favorite treat, a carrot. He learned to lounge, take a saddle and bridle, and soon was off to the show circuit to "strut his stuff ". After each show, with his blue ribbons in his masters' hand, he was led to the trailer, knowing that a bucket full of goodies was waiting for him, and his soft bedded stall. Life was grand. But then one day while at a show he sensed something different. What was it? He had given his all�..hadn't he?? Back in his trailer going home he noticed a different scenery. Wait! "This is not the way home!" He was led to a long driveway and his master gave his leadrope to a stranger, "Here, I have no more use for him, I tried him one last time but he didn't cut it", said the master. After some green stuff was handed to the master, the colt watched as his friend walked away and disappeared down the road. The colt was lead to another trailer, but this one had other horses in it. The ride was a long one, the colt could feel his thirst and he was getting bumped around by his crowded passengers. The trailer stopped and as the colt was led out he could hear the cries of other horses, and also the smell of blood and death was thick in the air. He was led into a chute behind other horses. One by one they disappeared into a warehouse. Then it was his turn. To his horror he could see a horse that he had been with earlier in the trailer, now hanging upside down by one leg, blood pouring from a gaping hole in his throat. His short life passed before his widened eyes. His nickers that in the past brought him carrots were gone now. His whinnies that would bring his dam to his side in the past, echoed unanswered. As the trembling colt took his last little breath he could feel the blow to his head and the cold shackle around his ankle as the warmth of his own blood flowed from his neck. Meanwhile, back at the beautiful stable where the master lived, the little colts' blue ribbons hung on a wall, yes they were beautiful ribbons at that, yes they were�..
������������������������������������������������� Linda Rowan
AS I LOOK OUT FROM MY PRISON
I SIT AND WATCH THE RAIN
REFLECTING THE TEARS IN MY EYES
THAT FALL ON MY SOUL FILLED WITH PAIN-
THE WANDER LUST THAT BECKONS ME
I'VE SUPRESSED FOR OH SO LONG
AND THE HEAVY CHAINS THAT SHACKLE ME
SOMEHOW JUST SEEM SO WRONG-
WHAT DID I DO, WHAT LAW DID I BREAK
TO PUT ME IN THIS HELL
I YEARN TO FEEL THE FREEDOM YET
BUT ONLY TIME WILL TELL-
������������������������������ Linda Rowan
