La Jinete

New Poetry By a Desert Songwriter

I've been out here since I can remember, since time began it seems
It's the place where my soul finds comfort, here where only God can intervene 
Life in the desert trims up your soul, for she's exacting, precise and honest
Lie to her or your own heart, she'll leave you dead. That's a promise.

Don't recall when I came here, I'm a part of this desert landscape
She's blended me in with her quartz and sand, for me there is no escape 
Wild as the wind in the monsoon, soft as the coos of a babe
Her breath is my life and solace. Her songbirds, my heart’s serenade

She keeps me here enchanted with the gifts she leaves at my door 
For She showed me my place in a story, a magical piece of lore 
Of spirits unfettered, unconquered, of fierce, unshakeable hearts 
Courage, mettle and nerve, and a soul’s unbreachable ramparts.

I'll tell you that story if you'll hear it. It will take a measure of time.
You have to hold on tight, for the ride's over ground that's unkind
But, perhaps then you'll understand why this place holds my soul and my heart 
Why I stay out in this desert, in my story, to you I’ll impart.

Pale blue mists weave and prowl through the pleats of the mesa's skirt
No animals stir, no morning birds sing in my disturbingly silent desert
Then, gently at first, moving up thru the earth, a barely perceptible tremble
Now, stronger, then louder, it soon overwhelms with a pounding, ear filling rumble

My curious eyes scan the horizon for the source of this frightful rampage.
Then, they're on me, flinging hot breath and foam as they burst thru the silver sage They snort and squeal at the sudden stop, bumping, rearing, teeth bared
But, they dare not run past their mistress, who's astride the blood bay mare

The wind lifts her hair as she smiles at me, and I am breathless to realize 
How can it be? She is I! I am her! Those lucid green orbs are mine eyes! 
She looks in my face as her horse dances there, her face so calm and serene 
She peers into my soul with a knowing so old, discerning, carving and keen

Then, a leather gloved hand sweeps from her cloak to the obedient herd in her wake She nods at me and signals a mare who moves forward for me to take
I rise and drift through the glorious herd of horses this bold woman leads
She watches, knowing my heart, that her very command I will heed

I swing aboard a freckled grey back and grasp a handful of mane
We move out on the breeze of a winters dawn ore a rugged and ancient terrain 
My heart is bursting with wonder, like a child I'm carefree and wide eyed.
My soul is awakened, my spirit alive as we gallop along side by side.