Nicole And Vanna Poem by Bill Galvin

She is happiest when she is with her horse, Vanna.

Not her pet, but her soul-companion,
Who will never let her down.

There was a time, a moment only, recently,
When Nicole thought she should part with Vanna…
There was the costly upkeep, the daily grooming,
And Nicole was going back to medical studies next Fall.

Then a very short time ago,
Nicole and Vanna went for their last ride in Wrentham;
Their last ride together before adoption.
That sealed the deal… love at last sight?
"I don't care about freeing up my summer! "
Said Nicole, after that "last" ride…
"Vanna and I belong together."

The back story is always more interesting.

Vanna is where Nicole goes when life is pressing.
There is unconditional love…
A close friend, companion, and confidante,
Whispering to one another;
Nicole grooms her, and in return, her soul is tended to.
They ride together as one.

With Vanna there, Nicole is strong enough, wise enough,
Willing enough, patient enough, to endure
The scar still healing, the burn still searing,
From a man she gave herself to, and trusted too much.
We all know the pain of learning.
The objects of our affections are not always attainable.
Nicole wept, got angry, and arose again… wiser, stronger…
A too-common womanly tragedy, but, turned right-side-up.

I looked closely at Nicole's wallpaper photo.
Horse and human both aware of the camera,
And both wearing a smile, I swear.
"This is my girl, " they were each saying with their hearts open;
Each supplying the stable support system for the other.

Love so simple, uncomplicated, and complete…
What we're all looking for in one another;
Maybe humans have difficulty fulfilling those qualities,
And animals do not.

5-2-2016 (Terre Haute, Indiana)