~ The Herd posted 2/4/2008 8:33:53 PM | 13 kudos what's this?     report abuse tagged: horses, destiny, eternal

BandTMom

Across the moon-lit plain they ride towards destinations unknown.
Endless and fruitless is their journey which has no end.
Forever seeking that which cannot be found,
They gallop into the dark, thickening gloom.

He was driving down a country lane, close to the midnight hour,
When from the corner of his eye, he spied the herd.
Amazed at the eerie site, he quickly stopped the car.
He wanted a closer look, not trusting what he saw.

Leaning against a gnarly fence post, he knew his sight was true.
Seventeen horses, gray and blue, were running in the night.
Sixty-eight legs and sixty-eight hooves, but not a sound they made.
Brittle leaves and grasses were still beneath their feet.

"Those horses tell a story, son", spoke a voice out of the fog.
"A tale of suffering, sorrow, pain, and greed.
For until the end of time, these steeds are destined
To follow a never ending path of their own making.

Startled, he spun around to face a weathered old man
who was perched atop the ancient split-rail fence.
With a pair of worn boots, a drooping gray mustache,
And dusty hat, he appeared a cowboy of old.

"Hundreds of years ago", the old man said, "These plains were ruled
By a roaming team of beautiful horses.
A Roan, a White, a Paint, a Palomino, and a Bay
Once ran, galloped, and frolicked, beneath a golden sun."

"Their days of freedom ended on the night of a bright full moon
When a band of eighteen marauders fell upon the herd.
Whooping, they surrounded the five mighty beasts,
Forcing them into a circle, not knowing their fate was sealed".

"For the team would not surrender;they put up a bloody fight.
Angry and frustrated, the bandits drew their guns.
Shots sounded, horses squealed,and when the dust receded
The bodies of five horses lay quietly in the dark".

"A brilliant light filed the sky; the desperadoes fled.
But their flight was halted as a voice filled the night.
'Since life was sacrificed, your fate will forever be
Roaming this plain as the creatures you have harmed'".

"There were eighteen outlaws but only seventeen horses.
The leader remained human to teach the value of life".
Then he hung his head in shame; his eyes filled up with tears.
"You see, son, the leader of that gang was me".

"Young man, take this message and spread it to the world
For even the smallest creature has a right to live.
All deserve to have a life that's free from fear and harm".
Then as quickly as he came, suddenly he was gone.

The young man returned to his car as he pondered on the words
Of a weary old man forever tied to his past.
Joyfully he felt compassion for every living being
And grateful for a visit from the ghostly herd.

© bandtmon (CLP) 2/4/2008

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Blogs by BandTMom: Adventures in Travel - A Trip to the Ozarks----The Hotel Adventures in Travel - A Trip to the Ozarks------The Journey Adventures in Travel - A Trip to the Ozarks ----The Beginning ~ Why ~ And Sometimes I Cry ~ Something Different ~ I Wait for You ~ Peace ~ The Moon ~ A Special Gift ~ The Fool ~ Learning to Love ~ The Herd ~ Lost at Sea ~ llusions? ~ Love ~ The Nature of the Mind ~ Karma ~ A Light in the Darkness, Buddhist style Raising a Child in the Bible Belt Pizza and Troubling Thoughts A Challenge Shifting Tides Natural Disasters and Other Hurtful Things Weeds