Holding the great and noble horse’s mane,
following the long and windy track,
going at hi-speed, wishing I had reins,
with the moving fire right at our back,

Seeing the wild animals speeding away,
running with minds set on getting out,
trying to keep the soaring flames at bay,
hearing the crackles and pops all about.

Heart pumping and legs burning but still going,
Huffing and puffing with all my weight,
a great wild bush brumby worth your knowing.
This fantastic horse is my best mate,  

Watching the sun going down through his ears,
wondering how far this fire zone went.
It feels like we have been running for years,
now that most of his power is spent.

Running for the break in amidst the trees.
Almost out of the toxic black cloud.  
Finally there, going week at the knees,
reaching the ground just recently ploughed,

Greeting all the firemen with tired smiles.
Slowly walking away from the heat,
with zero energy after those miles.
This horse, my mate, none could ever beat.

Days after my nerve-racking bush sprint,
devastation had now set in,
for those where the fire left a foot print,
years worth of growth were now in the bin,  

The rider wasn’t asked what happened, of course.
for three weeks that ride was all the talk:
gossip about a fire, a rider, and horse.
It all began that day with a walk.
    
Sometimes I meet him out in the moonlight
and we remember that fateful day.
We were friends at first sight
soon I wish we could go race away.

Friendship is like a never ending game
over bumps and potholes like a tyre.
Wether a dog or horse, none can tame,
friendship can even endure bush fire

With every passing second, minute, hour, day
my happiness keeps slipping away.
Further and further into a hole.
I fall deeper and deeper with nothing to hold.

A rope is thrown in hopes to save,
the falling girl, but there is no escape.
For she missed the rope, it was out of reach.
Yet this rescuer hasn't given up on me.

Why would you stay to help the helpless?
Why are you trying to find a bottom to this bottomless pit?
So many questions that will have no answer.
Who is this angel, my rescuer?

Why spend your time on someone like me?
What do you see that is so lovely?
What makes you think I'm a person worth saving?
My rescuer, this angel, she's my safe haven.

Maybe it's not me, maybe it's you.
This can just be something you do.
You like to help others, you have a good heart.
You help me because that's the type of person you are.

But what if I'm special and important to you.
Yes you help others, that is what you do.
But maybe you'd choose to help me over somebody else.
Maybe you really want to see me well.
While you may care about others, you also care about me.
Maybe you help cause you love me.

She is finally back with a longer rope this time.
I could surely reach it with a small climb.
But my mind is telling me I don't deserve this help.
That her time would be better spent on someone else.
I don't think it's true, it just can't be.
I didn't ask for help, it was offered to me.
Why would it be offered, if she didn't care?
There are enough nice people in this world to share.

So I jump up and reach for the rope.
And as I grab hold of it, I also grab hope.
Hope for a better life, a happier one.
I was losing this battle, but in the end I won.
I won with some help, and that is okay.
Because at the end of the day, I feel great.
And now that I'm safe and happy again,
I can go thank my new friend.
Who made me smile in the midst of my tears.
And helped me overcome some of my fears.
She literally turned my frown upside down.
She had the power to turn this poem around.

Not only did I gain a friend, but an important lesson too.
I hope if you are lonely this will help you.
Darkness is only there to help out the light.
After all, the brightest stars shine during the darkest night.