Spring Time

Spring Time

 “When its spring time in the Rockies I’ll be coming back to you, little sweet heart of the mountains with your bonnie eyes of blue.”

 Every day the familiar sound of an off-key whistler wakes my morning. I greet him with a kicker, knowing some fresh hay and a scratch is coming my way. Later he will take me from my stall, brush the dust from my hair, running his rough calloused hands down the full length of my body checking for sore spots. His voice is low and in a whisper.

 “It’s chilly out this morning he says.” I take in a deep breath pursing my lips... I let it out forcefully tossing my head. He smiles “Yep girl I hate it too, but its gotta be done.”

  When we were younger his step was sure, his movements were fast and unpredictable, but as with all things, time ages and we slow down. He’s not in as big of a rush to be anywhere special. His steps are laboured now, as are mine.

 The stall door seems to ache as do I this cold morning, its hinges creek and groan. “You haven’t eaten your drank.” He says as his head leans into my gut, his ear pressed tightly to my body. I turn my head and I meet his gaze. “Hang in there girl.” He says running his hand under my belly, “I’ll be right back.”

 Once again the hinges squeak. His shambling step quickens out of the barn. My legs are growing tired, my breaths are shallow. My thoughts wander back to a much more tranquil time, when the snow was on the mountain tops and we were in the sun drenched valley. Riding on the wind, I would feel the chill of the air nip at my nostrils I would be aware of his hips, shoulders and legs guiding me to our target. A small new born calf barely alive, he dismounts, kneels at its side, his hands feel for life. His knowledge of what to do is swift. He grabs the snout and places his mouth around it. He begins to take deep breaths giving the young one a few more moments of life. I see a trickle of water from the corner of his eye as he rises and approaches my side. “Don’t worry girl I just gotta bit of dust in my eye.” He says reaching for his gun. I startle from the blast but I’m stead fast for my human.

  We ride hard and fast to erase the memory of the morning checking the rest of the heard. Soon the cool morning air would heat from the sun and we stop by the creek. I will drink and graze and he pulls a slice of bread from his bags, he lies under a tree and in silence we drink in the beauty that has been provides for us. Soon I hear the rumbling snore as he takes his breath in sleep. I caulk my hind leg and I to close my eyes.

  Soon he wakes, and it’s time to go. With miles of fence line to check we amble through the jagged rocks of the foothills; one mile turns into another until he stops. Under his breath he mutters, “shit: we just fix that line yesterday.” For the next half hour I will stand for him swishing my tale to keep the flies from my back, I can graze and I watch his experienced hands twist the wire back into one and we move on to the next downed line. Our week is routine and almost boring, but it is where we are both free. For when the weekend comes is when this team rises to the challenge of a roping event showing off our skills. He is proud of me and a few well placed bets buy a round of drinks at his favourite watering hole.

  My legs are tired and my gut aches. I can no long stand and I fall to my front knees then to my side. I stretch my neck long trying to ease the pain, but it doesn’t come. His hurried footsteps reach the stall and again the hinges wines. “Awe girl don’t come on ya gotta get up.” He pulls and grunts. I hear the frustration in his voice. “Get up you stupid thing. Damn it get up.” I blow a breath as he slides his back down the wall. I feel his legs come under my head his hand runs the full length of my jaw.

“It’s ok girl.” He whispers. “I have some help coming, “just hold on.”

 My eyes meet his and the dust from the air is making both of his eyes water, and he begins to hum his song. He opens his mouth to sing the words and he chokes. “When it’s spring time in the Rockies I’ll be coming back to you.”

 I close my eye and the pain is gone.