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| 'To Be as Free as White Horses' © Glyn Davies.com 2010 |
Very rarely do I get to witness a true visualisation of the commonly used term ‘white horses’ that refers to the very particular equine surf within waves on the ocean. This is not for lack of looking of course, I’ve seen the occasional ‘stray pony’ lamely cantering to shore, only to disappear as a gentle spray of mist but in 2010, Glyn and I were on holiday in Cornwall when an overnight storm broke and the seas went wild. As we rushed down to the beach that morning to watch the incredible white waves rolling in, we witnessed a procession of hundreds of galloping white stallions racing towards the cove. We watched spellbound as they tossed their manes, pounded their hooves and raised their exquisite white heads within the ferocious ocean spray.
I was virtually drawn to tears as it was one of the most spectacular sights I have ever witnessed and was something I will never forget. For once I was actually begging Glyn to capture as many photographs as he could, as I screamed above the noise, and pleaded with the ocean to send more of these magical beasts to me. Their nostrils flared and snorted, their hoofed legs kicked above the spray as they battled to be first to shore. I was awed by their weight and strength, and I swore I could hear them neighing as the wind howled around me, and the seabirds cried overhead. Very gradually as the tide advanced, the horses slowed down and instead of vaulting the reef they just lolloped over it! The race was over, the spray weakened and the magical vision was gone.
Months later I celebrated a very special birthday. I hadn’t even seen the photographs Glyn took of that amazing event, until he brought home a huge one-off limited edition print especially for me – my horses, the image, the magic, the ultimate gift!
I have written a simple rhyming poem, (apt!) to remind myself of the occasion, but I think the photo says it all really and nothing I write could ever express the true emotion I felt on that glorious morning!
GALLOPING IN
Gallop, horses, gallop
Catch the waves and grow
Crest to crest, all abreast
Let your white manes flow
Gallop, horses, gallop
Above the briny wall
Toss your heads and kick your legs
Allow your hooves to fall
Gallop, horses, gallop
Within an ocean spray
Increase your pace, stay in the race
And face the wind today
Gallop, horses, gallop
Towards the sandy shore
Set the beat of thrashing feet
Until you run no more
Although this image isn't for sale, Glyn has two other beautiful photographs taken at the same time which can be viewed and purchased here:
and:
Lovely poem, Carol, and so very appropriate for Glyn's photograph!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tam, it was just such an amazing experience, I have never seen horses like them riding on such massive ocean waves. x
DeleteThank you Carol and Glyn
ReplyDeleteI miss the sea so much !!!
From this picture along with the poem, I can feel the spray and smell the salt in the air
"Hiraeth"
I'm glad my blog brought a bit of Hiraeth back into your life Eithin, I lived away from the seaside for many years and it was such a hard thing to do. Every 3 months I would dash back to Anglesey just to, as you say, "feel the spray and smell the salt in the air". x
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