Painted Dreams -The American Mustang
Mustangs were on their way …
I sat with Henry at the edge of the rocky lip on the mesa
waiting in the dark hours before dawn
I wondered was it going to be worth it to come
would this take very long
Though I was simply a boy at heart and an
Indian by adoption
I knew by then enough to listen to my elder
that was the only option
And as the light from the east began to paint the sky
I heard and felt a rumbling in the dry earth
The mustangs were on their way it would
be a day of much worth
They arose with a dusty cloud and within
quick moments they’d all but taken the sky
I had never seen anything like it
nor considered what or why
The Mustangs are about to be slaughtered
the reports of gunfire will fill the air
The painted horse of the western plains
But does America even care ?
———————————————
The BLM had recently said that upwards of fifty thousand wild Mustangs
needed to be “put down ” because they are over grazing
American western grass lands , because they are apparently in competition for the PUBLICLY OWNED lands rented for ten cents an acre by corporate ranchers
and their profitability of raising beef cattle ?
Speak Up Now ,
Call your congressman [woman ]!
- Open Range - May 2, 2024
- Whispers among the balsams…. - May 8, 2023
- Do not stand at my grave ………. - April 19, 2023
Ed, this is a subject close to my heart. We love our wild horses out here in Nevada and often drive around looking for them, just to sit in the car and watch. I keep in touch with the AAWHP and sign their petitions. It does not do much good, for our beloved wild horses are disappearing out here in the west.
Very well-penned and well stated verse, Ed. Thank you.
Phyllis , Thank you , yes , I’ve been watching the latest BLM mischievous , The supreme courts? …..just said no to them so that’s great , I love the idea of being able to look for them , I’m planning a Pryor Mountains Mustangs trip for next year . …………Good to hear from you !
Emotively written Ed of the plight of the mustangs. These beautiful animals need to be treasured not put down. We have had the same circumstance here in the mountains of Victoria and those proud horses, generations going right back to our beginnings. Very well penned and stated.
Thanks for sharing, Ed. As Tony said this is also an issue in Australia with the Government considering culling the Snowy Mountain brumbies due to overpopulation.
Tony , thank you , yes , I wonder sometimes if we as humanity aren’t crowding out the animals , maybe culling humanity would be better !………..:-}
Hello John , “The man from snowy river” my all time favorite horse movie ! We need to awaken to our own faults in humanity ! Thank you for all you do !
Very well penned. Great poetic statement in favor of the wild mustangs. I love horses wild or not so it touches my heart to think of them being killed.
I heard about this and still cannot believe it. How could anyone do such a thing?
We have beautiful Mustangs descendant from one Christopher Columbus brought over and I worry so much over those too.
Death should not be the answer for anything.
A subject very well done.