Serenading Horses

The poetic wandering through the forest

It was a partially overcast evening. The sun was still out, making our walk through the forest surprisingly bright. The evening light filtered through everything around us, giving each object gorgeous analogous hues. Occasionally, we’d catch sight of something vivid—a patch of lichen, bright orange and vibrant—a signpost that spring and summer flora were just around the corner.

The trees were still bare from winter, but each one had begun to push out tiny green buds. Peter and I walked slowly, appreciating the moss, the lichen, and the smell of wet ground from newly melted snow. The retreating snow exposed the glossy remains of last fall: a muted carpet of leftover leaves. Even though my nephew is 20 years old, he saunters through nature much like I do, trying to notice everything he can.

Our big win was finding a puffball mushroom. I don’t know the official term for this fungus, but when you gently squeeze or tap it, its spores are released in what looks like a puff of smoke. The mushrooms are round with a small opening at the top. My nephew noticed it first. He didn’t know what it was. I squealed with delight at being able to see one in the wild, right in front of me.

Our journey continued. Peter talked about the environment, the challenges posed by AI, and how much water it requires. I listened, admiring his evolution from an excitable child into a thoughtful young man. After a solid hour of forest bathing, we made our way back to the main road while the sun drifted closer to the horizon.

Poetic wandering turns to hip hop

We walked down the middle of this dirt road. A fenced yard was to our left. I noticed a big horse, the kind with very furry chins.

“Peter, they have boots with fur,” I exclaimed, laughing at my reference to the silly hip hop song from 2007.

“Boots with the fur?” Peter questioned.

“Yes, you know it. I know you do.”

And then, shamelessly, off-key, and pitchy—as silly as I could possibly be—I started singing. It was more to entertain my nephew than anything else.

However, something magical happened. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Not only did the horse with the boots with the fur come to the fence to check out this singing disaster, but two other horses joined it. They stood there in a row, watching me sing and dance. I was serenading them poorly, but I meant it. I serenaded from my heart, and they stood, a horse audience watching me.

I was in awe.

“Peter! Take pictures!” I yelled.

I approached carefully, now singing “Boots With the Fur” more quietly, almost a whisper or a lullaby. I didn’t want to spook them, although if my singing hadn’t spooked them already, I figured nothing would.

The horse on the left backed up, making space as I approached the fence. The horse on the right pushed its nose right up to the wire, and when I reached through, it came even closer, letting me tenderly touch it and speak to it. The horse in the middle also shoved its face toward my hand, hoping for some attention. She had the biggest moustache, groomed and parted down the middle.

So cute.

I didn’t want to leave. I have never wished so hard for a carrot or an apple in my pocket.

The horse that had stepped back stayed where it was. The other two remained at the fence. I didn’t want to go either, but I figured I should. So, with hesitation, I stepped away, feeling as though I had touched a little bit of magic on that walk—even if some of it had been summoned by poorly sung hip hop.

Magic

What I learned

I learned that the forest is healing, that magic arrives magically. I learned that magic can be found in tiny puffball mushrooms and giant horses. I learned there is no room for shame. Just do the thing. Disregard embarrassment. Send out love and see what happens. I also learned how absolutely gigantic these horses are!

As always, thank you for reading, Lovelies