The Dance

Written by: Stephanie Garcia

When I ride my horse in the mid-summer mornings,

we dance.

The drums pound and two hearts beat as one

working in rhythm and cadence.

When I cue him with my feet his hooves stomp the ground with fierce confidence as he glides.

With sweat dripping from rider and horse,

the pressure to please rises.

When I ride my horse,

we dance.

Each movement in time.

For one false gesture creates disaster.

And the pressure to please

-both him and me-

rises.

He stops,

the pressure drops,

the music ends,

the beating has slowed.

I reach and reward with soothing pats on his warm moistened neck.

Our dance is complete.

And once more we leave the stage,

fulfilling my dreams.