Updated August 18, 2004

Old Horsewoman

When I am an old Horsewoman
I shall wear turquoise and diamonds,
And a straw hat that doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my social security on white wine and carrots
And sit in my alleyway of my barn and listen to the horses breathe.
I will sneak out in the middle of a summer night
And ride the old bay gelding.
Across the moonstruck meadow
If my old bones will allow
And when people come to call,
I will smile and nod
As I walk past the gardens to the barn and show instead the flowers
growing inside the stalls fresh-lined with straw.
I will shovel and sweat and wear hay in my hair, as if it were a jewel.
And I will be an embarrassment to all,
Who will not yet have found the peace in being free to have a horse be a
best friend,
A friend who waits at midnight hour
With muzzle and nicker and patient eyes
For the kind of woman I will be
When I am old.

Author unknown
Gail Shrine
www.horsesinthesouth.com/dixieplantation