POEM BY ABEL AVALOS, STAFF SERGEANT, USMC VETERAN


A magnetic pull, attracting, and repelling.

Unexplainable curiosity and apprehension.

Hypnotizing eyes, as dark as an Infinite blackhole.

Piercing and penetrating through my soul.

Forcing a shameful and remorseful retreat.

A blanket of morning dew on the lush green meadow.

Woodpecker hammering on a nearby pine tree.

A musical Hee-Haw in the distance of the resident donkey.

The haunting thrashing sound of an 80 gallon

Galvanized watering trough getting stomped.

Like internal demons anguishing to be liberated.

Seductively luring you in, captivating and frightening.

Thundering hooves, muscular and athletic build

Grunting snorting, staring deep into my past.

The Magical Moment when trust establishes itself

captivating one another’s gaze then

the instantaneous release of deep-seated feelings

and unresolved trauma suddenly disappears.

The stampede of freedom an

800 pounds of feral mustang renders with

the gentle touch of a trusting and integral hand on her mane

the raising and lowering of a reciprocating nod of acceptance and

Complete compliance and vulnerability, no judgment no blame

Pure compassion and empathy

The overwhelming feeling of a

foreign moment of restorative silence.

Your body releases tears and fears.

For the first time in a long time, you feel peace.

You and the wild Mustang are one,

No more need to feel hyper-vigilance,

pain, guilt, or shame

For you are Healed and feel whole,

Welcome back my long-lost friend.