Comment from BeasPeas

Excellent

Hi Carol. This is a lovely poem. I love horses. Most people do. I think this is especially nice:
"We'll ride today,
beside the green
beneath the cottonwoods
with their golden tremble of leaves,
breathing the first whiff of snow.
I have never not-lived here
nor not-felt the rocking ramble
of horse's easy walk."
Marilyn

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 08-Jul-2018

Thanks, Marilyn. I used to ride at a ranch in Clinton when I went to Montana to help my mom with her health issues. Now she lives near us at a care home. Anyway, I do think most people love horses, although I have heard from some that they are scared of them. Don't you find that it's so peaceful riding a horse at an easy walk on a nice trail? I love that :))

Carol

reply by BeasPeas on 09-Jul-2018

Hi Carol. I am LOL. I do love horses they are so graceful and beautiful. Like any large animal I love to look and pet them, but when I was about 12 one of them ran away with me (just like in the movies). It was a scary ride. I haven't rode a horse sense, but I sure do love them. One of the things that ticks me off is the plight of the American wild mustang. Marilyn

Comment from jenintorre

Excellent

This is a fabulous poem. I really enjoyed reading it. I love the imagery that you portray and the contrast between country and city life. Nice. Best wishes. Jen.

 Comment Written 04-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 08-Jul-2018

I do miss living in a rural area, the city is so busy...I guess my challenge now is to deal with city life while I'm working and move away when I retire!!

Thanks for a nice review,
Carol

Comment from Pam (respa)

Exceptional

-I love the image, Carol.
-A very well penned poem that
paints a vivid word picture of
your love for this horse and the country life:
"beside the autumn-shouldered trees;
beneath the dappled-silver morning sky."
-I also like how you worded this line:
"I have never not-lived here"
-Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 02-Aug-2018

Thank you so much for this kind review, and I'm sorry for taking so long to thank you! I went on vacation and it was a mad rush to get out of town. I really appreciate your words about my poem :))
Carol

reply by Pam (respa) on 03-Aug-2018

You are very welcome, Carol. No problem with the reply. Hope you had a good vacation, and also hope to see your postings on FS.

Comment from rspoet

Exceptional

Hello Carol,
An excellent free verse poem.
I hear echos of Frost saying: I'm going out to pick some apples
or perhaps to mend a wall.
Your imagery and descriptions are splendid,
they speak of someone who has been there
Perhaps the dream is the reality, and the "real life"
merely an interloper, until the dream returns.
Marvelous prose poetry.
Well done
Robert

 Comment Written 03-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 02-Aug-2018

Thank you so much for this kind review, Robert. I'm sorry for taking so long to thank you! I went on vacation for two weeks and it was a mad rush to get out of town.
Yes, I do wonder which is the "real" life, quite often. In some ways, I know that I should have stayed in Montana and worked on a ranch - except all the animals would be pets, lol.

Thanks again :))
Carol

Comment from w.j.debi

Exceptional

I just came in from feeding my horses and this verse really touched me. Oh, for more of those perfect moment of horse and rider no matter the weather. That bond is something only a horse lover can understand.

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2018

Don't you live in Alpine? Thank you for this great review, yes there is something about those horses, they are wonderful. I have a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in my time riding in Montana - I was able to ride almost every morning I was up there helping my mom. Then we moved her to live near us in a care home in Southern Cal, so I'm not able to go up there as much. Anyway, I find it very comforting to amble along on trails on horseback. There is a very nice trail near the ranch where I lease a horse, that winds through giant oak trees - I think you'd like it :))
Carol

Comment from pbomar1115

Excellent

Horseback riding is one of my favorite things to do, but I don't have the opportunity. All the riding stable are outside of Dallas. You take in the rural country, riding your own horses is great living, but I imagine costly as well. But, you probably have the means for your passion. Great reflection about a day in the life with your passion.

Phillip

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2018

You might be surprised how many horse properties there are in our otherwise suburban community of Thousand Oaks, California. Also ranches that offer lessons and leasing, which is what I do - I don't have my own horse, at least not yet. Riding out on the trails from the ranch is one of my favorite things too :)
Carol

reply by pbomar1115 on 03-Jul-2018

Well, you have the best of both worlds. No need to own, just manage well. Smart idea, Carol.

Phillip

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Carol, nothing better than go out and collect your horses. It's so peaceful and life confirming when they come towards you to great you. I know. I've had a few horses myself. It is magic when you have that special relationship with your mount. You have created a wonderful imagery in your free verse poem. I enjoyed it very much. Warm regards. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2018

Thanks so much, Ulla :))

Carol

Comment from Jeffrey L. Michaux

Excellent

It's good to dream and then make that great escape to that place of your roots that you'll always enjoy. As the saying goes, you can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the girl. I like this Ciliverde! Well done!

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2018

Thanks so much, that saying is very true. I'm a fish out of water in S. California! Except there are lots of horse people and ranch dogs running around so that helps keep me sane :))
Carol

Comment from Joan E.

Excellent

The golden light in the picture your selected is wonderfully scattered throughout your free verse. I admired your use of personification with "winter's breath" and "autumn-shouldered," plus your "flakes" simile and "dreams" metaphor. Have a productive and not so "shuttered" week. Smiles and happy Fourth- Joan

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 03-Jul-2018

This week is very busy b/c of the heat wave coming, and I've had to get up early every day for work - so I am feeling a bit shuttered but I have the next two days off!!

Carol

reply by Joan E. on 03-Jul-2018

Enjoy your days off and enjoy preparing for the heatwave. Remember to stay hydrated- Joan

Comment from Mark Valentine

Exceptional

Starting with the title, there is a lot to love about this one. Great descriptive language that paints a picture of wide open spaces: "Huge sky full of light / chill air spelling winter's breath".

Mostly though, it's got that "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" feel to it. Lines like "they know me" and I have always lived here" contrast with the line about going back to " what some call my real-life" and convey the sense that what is most real isn't necessarily what occupies the most time, but rather what connects one's soul to what is real and transcendent in the world - even if that reality sometimes seems like a dream.

You lead an interesting life.

 Comment Written 02-Jul-2018

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reply by the author on 02-Jul-2018

You are one of two who picked up that line about "real-life" - I don't live there, have not "always" lived there. But I imagined that I did as I walked out to catch Savannah. She was such a good girl, I rode her quite a few times when I was up in MT taking care of my mom. You got the exact sense of what I was trying to say - looking at what is or should be most real in the world - and how dreams are so important.

I don't feel like my life is as interesting as it used to be - or maybe my internal life is more interesting than the "real" one, lol.
thank you so much, Mark, for supporting my work :))
Carol