STAYING ALIVE EXTRACTS
■ The Woman and the Horse, by Rachel
‘I worry,’ I said, ‘about our future,’ I said,
‘Why worry,’ the horse replied, ‘you don’t know when or how our lives will unfold,’
‘You are my very favourite way to spend my day, whether it’s mixing your feed, brushing your coat, picking mud from your hooves, throwing my arms around your neck and breathing in your smell, as I push my nose into your fur coat, shovelling your muck or galloping wildly through the woods.
‘I love all these things as I do them with you.
‘Yesterday we stood by your gate looking at the trees in all their autumnal glory, the golden orange hues, our breathing in tune, then you turned, nuzzled my hair, then licked my face from my jaw right up my cheek, you looked pleased with your unexpected lick. I laughed loudly, freely, our bodies rooted to the Earth.’
‘I worry,’ I said, ‘about our future,’ I said, ‘Do you know I’m dying,’ I said, ‘You look very much alive to me,’ my wonderful, astute horse said.
■ Blackberries and sloes, by Jill
I am picking blackberries and sloes, planning for winter,
Will I be doing this next year? They grow and ripen, I wait in anticipation for their arrival,
All of a sudden they are here – too many too soon!
I need to pick quickly, get the best before it’s too late.
Have I got time? Just in time for winter – have I done enough?
Until next year – will it be me picking? Collecting? Making for my family?
Will it be someone else? Or will they perish and waste...
■ The Journey, by Jill
The worst news I have ever had, A lifelong membership for a special club,
Life like an egg timer, slipping away, How do I travel this journey? Alone? In fear? With strength?
I feel alone but I have companions – like-minded travellers,
They are on this difficult journey too We cling onto life, celebrate each little victory, commiserate each defeat, And I am not alone,
We hope together.
■ Life, by Lorraine
‘One wild and precious life, I don’t really know life at all, but now friends are acting strange, they shake their head they say I’ve changed, well something’s lost but something’s gained in living every day’
My life how it’s changed Difficult
Peers getting married
Having babies
Friends in managerial roles Home benefits
More time
Less rushing around