Gratitude -

Gratitude to the Horse Program at Marin Stables

     A Gift for Cancer Survivors

 You put the physical back in my life,
    the physical heart, couer, courage.
 You handed me the reins of life, love, and fun.

 I bubble each time I leave.  I neigh,
    nay to pain, hurt, confusion, strain,
 nay to all that happened that I did not, could not,
            and may never understand.

 You greet us each Friday with huge smiles
     encompassed in a canyon
             bound with ferns.

 We sit in a circle, work in a circle,
     go round and round,
     dizzy, at times, in letting go
         of what struck us unaware,

    trusting now the saddle you place on the horse for us,
        the line we guide,
         the stool set there for each one of us,
                to climb on and off
                        the patience you  provide.

     You treat us as special as the mane we brush,
         the hooves we clean, the touch of love entwined
                             in a ring of care.

     Thank you for letting us enter your world,
                             privately formed,
                                 openly shared.