© Maree Sura
I stand and gaze over the Country
this is my Country, my home,
here in these mountains I was born.
I sometimes remember my younger days,
as I flanked another stallion’s small mob.
How; in my upstart excitement
I thought I would take him on.
Well; Paleface wasn’t a pushover
and showed me where I belonged.
He showed me I wasn’t mature enough
to run a mob, of my own.
Come summer, Paleface walked into the mountains
and I walked the opposite way,
thinking of his daughter Gracie,
knowing I just had to wait.
The fires ran strong that fateful summer,
obliterating all that stood in its way.
Taking my Gracie and Paleface, her dad,
everything I loved was gone.
Now I stand quietly,
remembering the days of my youth.
Looking out over the mountains,
the ones I call my own.
Yes, we are unsettled, and we are scared.
We see the fallen bumbies
and know this deed was done by man.
I fear for my little one and for my mares too,
I fear for our lives.
Wondering …
How much longer, shall we walk on this earth?
Your prayers, fall like silver raindrops upon my little herd.
May they keep us safe from harm,
and we can run in these mountains until we are old.
Photo credit Michell J Photography
Nelle's journey 