Your Ponies have become real in that they should not still be youthful and agile any more..
I am now 70 and my ponies don't even come out of the stable any more..
I still have to look out for them and remember that youthful time when they taught me patience.
They were needed so many times as you say over the years, but you learned from those years and now see them as they are, but remember that their hearts are still that young they would outrun your dreams..
Believe that your learning has been great and this piece is a tribute to those that taught you so many things, the things that not all of us have to go through this time, but we have been there at some time.
Now the Horses can walk and forage from the beautiful green grass that you have put there for them in your contentment, Yours Ian.T

Ian has said it all, and in a much better way than i could. This is a great story poem, one to help teach our children or in my case grandchildren. Thank you for this . Love Roscoe..

This is a beautiful piece. I agree with Ian, as he has said it best. So Roscoe and I echo his thoughts. I can't choose favorite lines as they are all so relevant.

love, Cat

There Are times during which memories become painful rather than joyous. But even these times, as all thing, pass and the memories edit themselves by deleting the painful ones. May all your ponies again turn pretty........stan

I think that I have said this before, but here it is again..
Out in the countryside here is a Horse Chestnut tree probably about 20 years old, that at sometime had been struck by lightening In the winter when its leaves are gone it is miss shapen and twisted, to me it is beautiful in its form, but at the moment it has its Summer coat on and is in full flower, one of the most beautiful trees you could ever see..
In our Winter we become twisted and miss shapen but we are still beautiful it is our picture of beauty that needs to be refined.. Have a lovely day out there, Yours Ian.T

"My twenty pretty ponies"

Sometimes... every now and then
within the confines of my memory
twenty shabby ponies take a long time
to limp slowly past.

heartfelt writing with a distinguished theme and memories all mingled together to gift us with these beautiful lines.

P.s I have started a quick skimming of the book. Hope I can go through in the coming few days

we all generally agree with Ian
because he is generally
IMPARTIAL
and has two opinions up his sleeve
his and Sadie's

But I have a feeling you have been counting your ponies
since eons
and have lost all count..
as much as Ian has this time ..
he had meant perhaps .....do pardon me....mercy be upon my soul .. Ian

I am now 70
and my pony ....
doesn't even come out
of the stable....
any more ....hahaahahahhaa
in good humor do take
and the lonely pony shall awake... IAN
slaughter me if you will

iAN

Hi Judy, at the first second that you find it is fear that urges you to keep the aged ponies in the pen, let them out. They have paths to walk, fresh grass to eat, a story arc perhaps of great power. The missing pony, his story told for the most is nudging you with his nose to recogize he is part of all things now. Give hime your kind thoughts, but the 20 ponys would heal, the 21st, (you) would not be walking through putrescent mud. For lack of better words Death sucks, and I've brushed up against its arrogance several times. It darkens my world a little still, but my brother is free. I don't mean to barge in, especially in a topic so personal but I felt I might be able to help. You can't carry him and the rest at the same time. Free him for the trauma is no longer his. When you know he's ok, you will feel revitalized. When he's in the breeze and stream, and sky, You will be free.

blessings

Ron

Blue Demon77

I've just finished reading the preview on the Amazon, I am going in the coming few days to order it if God wishes. I'm not sure how many days it takes to be delivered but I am really looking forward to reading the full story. You don't need my opinion I am sure. You do really have all the qualities that qualify you to be a great writer. As you are writing a personal experience this spices it up and adds to your profound writing and gives it a special taste. The first few pages have been narrated really distinguishably .. I'll tell you more ...
Soon . Don't go away. : )