Legions

keys to

the fortress

of a

ransomed soul

held captive

by 

a distant warrior

legions can’t

move, chained

to the

wall of

the dungeon

beneath, forever

and true

a longing heart

© Gina McKnight 2011

The "secret motto" of Moby-Dick

Letter to Nathaniel Hawthorne, June 29, 1851
by Herman Melville


My dear Hawthorne,

The clear air and open window invite me to write to you. For some time past I have been so busy with a thousand things that I have almost forgotten when I wrote you last, and whether I received an answer. This most persuasive season has now for weeks recalled me from certain crotchetty and over doleful chimearas, the like of which men like you and me and some others, forming a chain of God's posts round the world, must be content to encounter now and then, and fight them the best way we can. But come they will, -- for, in the boundless, trackless, but still glorious wild wilderness through which these outposts run, the Indians do sorely abound, as well as the insignificant but still stinging mosquitoes. Since you have been here, I have been building some shanties of houses (connected with the old one) and likewise some shanties of chapters and essays. I have been plowing and sowing and raising and painting and printing and praying, -- and now begin to come out upon a less bustling time, and to enjoy the calm prospect of things from a fair piazza at the north of the old farm house here.

Not entirely yet, though, am I without something to be urgent with. The "Whale" is only half through the press; for, wearied with the long delay of the printers, and disgusted with the heat and dust of the babylonish brick-kiln of New York, I came back to the country to feel the grass -- and end the book reclining on it, if I may. -- I am sure you will pardon this speaking all about myself, for if I say so much on that head, be sure all the rest of the world are thinking about themselves ten times as much. Let us speak, although we show all our faults and weaknesses, -- for it is a sign of strength to be weak, to know it, and out with it, -- not in [a] set way and ostentatiously, though, but incidentally and without premeditation. -- But I am falling into my old foible -- preaching. I am busy, but shall not be very long. Come and spend a day here, if you can and want to; if not, stay in Lenox, and God give you long life. When I am quite free of my present engagements, I am going to treat myself to a ride and a visit to you. Have ready a bottle of brandy, because I always feel like drinking that heroic drink when we talk ontological heroics together. This is rather a crazy letter in some respects, I apprehend. If so, ascribe it to the intoxicating effects of the latter end of June operating upon a very susceptible and peradventure feeble temperament.

Shall I send you a fin of the Whale by way of a specimen mouthful? The tail is not yet cooked -- though the hell-fire in which the whole book is broiled might not unreasonably have cooked it all ere this. This is the book's motto (the secret one), -- Ego non baptiso te in nomine -- but make out the rest yourself.

H.M.

Shane Simpson, Equestrian

Residing in England, Shane began his equestrian career as a jockey.  Employed by Oak Ridge Quarter Horses, England, Shane is also a movie stunt rider, jouster, horse trainer, and much more.  I caught up with Shane between events… 

What is Stampede Stunt Company and what do you do there?
Stampede Stunt Company is owned by some very close friends of mine. They do live shows at country fairs, castles and at big events like Your Horse Live. They provide one of the best jousting shows in the country with some trick riding for more entertainment; they also teach horseback archery, jousting and sword fighting among other things at their base in Wales. When I started my career with horses, I was a horse racing jockey! After I left racing to expand my knowledge, I learnt how to trick ride, joust, fall, sword fight, double for actors in films, fix problem horses, help with rider confidence and train western horses. Anything to do with horses i'll try my hand at!

So, you are a 'jouster'...what is it like to joust?
Jousting is an incredible adrenaline rush especially full plate jousts with full contact! 

Did you participate in 'official' training? Where?
The only official training I have had was a 9 week course at the British Racing School, other than that, everything I know comes from what I have learnt from all the different areas of horsemanship that I have been able to experience through watching, doing or studying.

Do you have a rigorous training schedule?

I try to go to the gym as often as I can but have been slacking recently due to moving to a new area, but I’ll be back into the routine of going five days a week soon enough.

Do you travel a lot? Where to?
I have traveled a lot, just not recently due to having my daughter, Maicie. I have been to Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Dubai and Japan!

Did you grow up with horses?

No, actually I am the only person in my family interested in horses and I started riding when I was 13 years of age.


What breed of horse(s) do you keep/ride?

I work with Lipizzaner, Andalusian, Friesian, Thoroughbred, Dutch Warmblood, Welsh cobs, Painted horse, Quarter horse, Arab, Polish Arab, Hanoverian and my favorite Lusitano! Lusitano is by far my favorite breed, the stallions look amazing and in general they are really eager to please!

In what films have you stunt-doubled?
I have ridden as an extra in Clash of the Titans 2 (the second in the series, which will be out later this year and I rode in a sea battle), Snow White and War Horse. I doubled for an actor called Colin Morgan who is on a TV show over here called Merlin, which is aired weekly on BBC1.

How do you fix problem horses? Are you a horse trainer as well?
Well that all depends on the problem, the horse and more often than not, the rider/owner. I suppose in a way I am a trainer, I have never really thought about it like that I just enjoy every aspect of horses!

Who is your favorite equestrian/trainer?
My favorite equestrian trainers would have to be Monty Roberts and Jean François Pignon. I have had the pleasure of working with Monty Roberts on a few occasions and learnt so, so much!

What can I do to be a better equestrian?
Everyone can improve even the best learn something new everyday about their horses but if i had to say anything, be patient and don't try and rush things - horses learn things at their own pace just like humans.

What is your dream job?
If I had the money, my dream is to open a equestrian facility with my future wife, who is also an amazing horsewoman, to take in troubled children, teens and young adults to help them through their problems by teaching them natural horsemanship and helping them to rebuild their trust through horses. 

Follow Shane

www.atkinsonactionhorses.webs.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMYdr2sIRwE&feature=related
www.stampedestuntcompany.co.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ-RPKQa2PE
www.horsebackcombat.co.uk/
www.blazingsaddlesstuntteam.co.uk/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBzjEoR5zVU
www.oakridgequarterhorses.co.uk/

Evermore

Earth-colored eyes

look down

at mine, struggling

to escape

my gaze

Trapped and

bewildered, shy

and afraid, his

look drives

me insane

Feeling, not

touching, cowardly

stare, melding

his soul with mine

Please free

me instead,

let emotions run

dead, denying

love evermore

@gmcknight '12

Dogs & Horses

"No philosophers so thoroughly comprehend us as dogs and horses." 

Herman Melville

SHILOH: A REQUIEM

by: Herman Melville (1819-1891)

SKIMMING lightly, wheeling still,

The swallows fly low

Over the field in clouded days,

The forest-field of Shiloh--

Over the field where April rain

Solaced the parched one stretched in pain

Through the pause of night

That followed the Sunday fight

Around the church of Shiloh--

The church so lone, the log-built one,

That echoed to many a parting groan

And natural prayer

Of dying foemen mingled there--

Foemen at morn, but friends at eve--

Fame or country least their care:

(What like a bullet can undeceive!)

But now they lie low,

While over them the swallows skim

And all is hushed at Shiloh.

"Shiloh: A Requiem" was originally published in Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War. Herman Melville. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1866.

Gerard Keenan, Equine Photographer

Welcome Gerard!

From Ireland, currently residing in London, Gerard Keenan is a world-renowned equine photographer.  His stunning photographs capture the spirit and beauty of horses. His photographs are envied and collected worldwide, including celebrity buyers; his photograph, Horses #5, is displayed in the newly opened Ralph Lauren store in Singapore. 

A winner of international photography awards, including: World Photographic Arts Spider Black & White Award, B&W Magazine USA, and IPA (International Photography Awards) honorary mention, to name a few.  Gerard's work is published worldwide in various photography and art magazines. 

When did you realize you wanted to pursue photography as a career?
I was 21, having always had an interest in Art.   

Your equine photography is stellar.  Why horses? 
I grew up on a farm in Ireland and was always attached to animals, but I found Horses to have an otherworldly quality which is difficult to explain. They have a calming presence and I understand why they are used as therapy with people suffering from mental or physical ailments.
   

Do you have a favorite breed that you like to photograph? 
I don't really have any particular favorite breed to photograph as I suppose I treat them all equally.   

Any stories of difficult or challenging photo-shoots? 
Most of my shoots go well and the horses are always well behaved!!   

Your favorite horse to photograph?   

I guess I prefer greys and whites as they stand out better with the clouds as a backdrop.   

Do you have any tips for novice photographers? 

Basically you have to have your own signature and it's not wise to copy other photographers work. Follow where your heart goes.   

Do you have a favorite photographer? 

I have too many to mention;  Lewis Baltz, Jean Loup sieff, Eugene Smith, Alexander Rodchenko, to mention but a few.   

Where have you exhibited; any current exhibits in the world? 

I have had no major exhibition as yet, but am hoping to show in London in 2012. 

Follow Gerard and view his beautiful photography

www.gerardkeenan.com  

http://equineflair.us/gerard-keenan-an-award-winning-photographer-from-galway-ireland/

COPYRIGHT All images are copyright of Gerard Keenan. 

Unauthorized Reproduction Prohibited

Surreality

Fog this morning on the way

to the

barn

to feed the stock and

to talk to

God

and find the way

to life's

purpose

and take the leap over the

precipice

to reveal

solid ground

© Gina McKnight 2011

Give me Vesuvius' Crater

Give me a condor’s quill! Give me Vesuvius’ crater for an inkstand! Friends, hold my arms! For in the mere act of penning my thoughts of this Leviathan, they weary me, and make me faint with their outreaching comprehensiveness of sweep, as if to include the whole circle of the sciences, and all the generations of whales, and men, and mastodons, past, present, and to come, with all the revolving panoramas of empire on earth, and throughout the whole universe, not excluding its suburbs. Such, and so magnifying, is the virtue of a large and liberal theme! We expand to its bulk. To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme. No great and enduring volume can ever be written on the flea, though many there be who have tried it.

Herman Melville, Moby-Dick

Paradise

Far from the metro
deep in the forest
paradise flies

on wings without tempest

Nearing the pool
feeling for nectar
hearing the fronds
spying reflections

Slide in and out
through spirits and time
toadstool arrives
only to hasten

Rogues sway tenderly

pressing your journey

breezing your wings

in glorious rhythm 

Landing benign

nary a whisper
time tarries shadows
deep in the forest

© Gina McKnight 2011

LOOK-OUT MOUNTAIN (The Night Fight)

by: Herman Melville (1819-1891)

WHO inhabiteth the Mountain
That it shines in lurid light,
And is rolled about with thunders,
And terrors, and a blight,
Like Kaf the peak of Eblis--
Kaf, the evil height?
Who has gone up with a shouting
And a trumpet in the night?

There is battle in the Mountain--
Might assaulteth Might;
'Tis the fastness of the Anarch,
Torrent-torn, an ancient height;
The crags resound the clangor
Of the war of Wrong and Right;
And the armies in the valley
Watch and pray for dawning light.

Joy, joy, the day is breaking,
And the cloud is rolled from sight;
There is triumph in the Morning
For the Anarch's plunging flight;
God has glorified the Mountain
Where a banner burneth bright,
And the armies of the valley
They are fortified in right.

"Look-out Mountain" was originally published in Battle-Pieces and Aspects of the War. Herman Melville. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1866.

Horse Facts

• A horse isn't considered an adult until it reaches age four.
• A female horse over 4 years old is called a mare.
• A male horse over 4 years old is called a Stallion or a Gelding, if castrated.
• Horses are measured in hands high (hh).
• A hand is equivalent to four inches or 10.2cm.
• Horses are normally over 14.2hh except for miniature horses.
• Anything under 14.2hh is classed as a pony.
• There are over 200 breeds of horses in the world.
• A horse's gestation period (time from breeding to birth) is about 11 mths
• Horses usually live to be 20-25 years old. The oldest horse lived to be 62.
• A father horse is called a sire.
• A mother horse is called a dam.
• A young female is called a filly.
• A young male is called a colt.
• The scientific name for the horse is equus caballus.
• A mule is a cross between a male donkey (a jack) and a female horse (a mare).
• Mules are usually sterile.
• A hinny is a cross between a male horse (a stallion) and a female donkey (a jenny).
• Hinnies are usually sterile......