Shi

My best friend listens,
she twitches her soft ears
she won’t say a word.
Her kind eyes are alert, but calm
her wise mind protects me.
I feel safe with her.
Hugging my mare, I’m calm.
Her regal head hung over my shoulder
my arms around her strong, gentle neck.
My world is at peace.

His yelling, her screaming,
this problem, that conflict.
None of it can break the connection between us.
Long hours together,
Shi’s slow and relaxed movements,
the rhythm I hear
from her hooves beating the earth
is soothing to my soul.

I dismount and brush
her shiny copper coat,
and memorize the smell of her
to get me through the night.
My heart becomes heavy
when I remove her halter
and turn to go inside.
I feel alone, and Shi knows.
She watches me leave.

Shi understands.
She knows how she helps me.
Its her that keeps me sane.

-by: Kasey Jans, in dedication to my wonderful riding partner