The morning air is
autumn-cool after an overnight temperature drop, but the grass sports dew, not
frost. Gentle grey clouds in the east echo multiple curved horizons, layered
like time in rock, advancing from east to west—thickly clustered trees, then a
field, a row of wild shrubs, another field, a fence, and finally, closest to
the road, the horse pasture. Metal posts stand out clearly, but thin wire’s
near-invisibility creates the illusion that the horses remain where they are by
choice. Their pasture is large and green, however, and they are free to return
to the corral (gate open) as they please for long draughts of water.
Sounds come from gulls,
crows, mourning doves, sparrows and songbirds, as well as from a tractor
somewhere nearby but out of sight, no doubt spraying orchard trees. The three
horses move continuously but at a leisurely pace, heads down to graze most of
the time. The sound of their constantly working teeth and jaws does not carry
to the road. Perhaps the breeze carries it away. The air eddies in small
currents, undecided on a firm direction. The horses’ heads are large and sweet, hindquarters muscular and patient, bilateral symmetry familiar and
endearing, contour lines like ancient antelope. The heady smell of them is deep in memory. 
The old barn was probably
built one section at a time, beginning with the old two-story part on its solid
stone foundation. Additions abound, roof slopes complicate, and weathered boards are in good shape. With big barn doors closed, the horses can still take shelter
under a shed roof. There the sun will still reach in from the south, and the
stone foundation will reflect the sun’s warmth.
These horses have a good
life.
2 comments:
Where is this barn? It looks familiar...I might have a photo of it in my archives...
The first thing I thought when I opened this post is "She can draw horses!" which is something I always wished I could do. I enjoyed your description of them...patient, sweet. Sounds like you had a horse somewhere in your history.
The barn is on Jelinek Road at the southeast corner of Jelinek and Kovarik. If you drive south from the Happy Hour and take the first left, it will curve around and come by this barn.
I have had innumerable horses in my lifetime--all of them in my imagination! Thank heaven for books, allowing me to be a vicarious horsewoman!
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