Heart of Gold
He came to us with eyes of sorrow
I wondered if he’d live tomorrow
His hips were jagged, sharp and torn
He wished that he was never born
He lived in fear with horses cruel
He couldn’t fight, he couldn’t duel
They bit him hard and made him bleed
He came to us in dire need
We tried to help him, gave him food
Kept him separate to help his mood
The children came and cared for him
They felt his life was such a sin
His eyes began to show some light
He dug it in and stayed to fight
They brushed him, groomed him, rode him around
His head held high, he covered ground
He whinnied and neighed when he was called
His eyes shone bright when he was mauled
He gained much weight and began to smile
We hoped he’d stay with us awhile
But one fateful day in the powdered snow
He knew it was his time to go
For 28 years he made hearts whole
He was gentle and kind, a sacred soul
N O W
He gallops in pastures, lush and green
He’s the most beautiful horse you’ve ever seen
Shimmle (alias Bones) 1977-2005
Eileen Bona is a Clinical Therapist and Behavior Management Specialist. She is the Founder of Dreamcatcher Nature-Assisted Therapy Association, a non-profit society that uses animals and nature to help children, youth and adults who have disabilities or mental health diagnoses.