Epiphany: Pirouette CF
The camels were white and elegant, fast and enduring, as befit the mounts of kings. The mare, tethered to the saddle of the first camel, was as white, as elegant, as enduring, and even faster. Her ancestors had traveled the same way, tethered to camels, waiting for the shock of the rider’s leap and the joy of racing into battle. The journey was strange to her, familiar to them, but their presence comforted her.
It was a long journey, and there were many stops. At each stop, there were sleeping children. Under the beds were boxes filled with wilting grass; the camels shared their sustenance with the mare. Once emptied, the boxes were filled with gifts from the camels’ packs. The kings, splendid in their eternal service to children, remounted, and the journey continued. Over and over, the motion and the halt, the children and the boxes, the grass and the gifts.
Until they arrived at a black iron bedstead. Here, the box of grass was presented to the mare alone, as she was tethered by the heel to the bedstead. The kings and their camels continued on their patient, joyful journey. For the mare was a gift too.
Footnotes for the Footnote Reader:
Día de Reyes, or Three Kings’ Day, is when gifts are exchanged in traditional Puerto Rican families. More Americanized ones, like mine, split the gifts between 6 Jan and 25 Dec. The first camel, of course, belongs to El Rey Melchior, said to be the Sultan of Arabia—who else could give such a mare?
Pirouette CF is a 1991 Kuhaylah Hayfiyah, bred by Charles and Jeanne Craver.
I especially want to thank Shirley Jacobson for sharing her treasure with me. In the true spirit of poetic license, however, Pirouette is spending the winter in Virginia and will only come to California when the weather lets up!
Speaking of poetry, this mare is a poem! Congratulations…
I am sorry to announce the death of my brother Joe Achcar. He passed away early this morning from a heart attack. I knew that he was posting on this website and I just wanted you all to know that he is not with us anymore. If you have of his writing, please send them to Edouard al-Dahdah whom I ask to forward them to me –although i don’t know him but through Joe. Joe loved horses from as far as i can recall and I am sure he will be missed.
Dear Tina,
I really am very sorry for the sad loss of your brother.
I only came into contact with Joe in recent months, initially via this blog. He patiently answered my questions in detail and with insight and gave me a new perspective on matters concerning the Arabian horse of great interest to me. I also respected the fact that he told me how he had re-evaluated his views over time, based on evidence, an intelligent attitude to a subject where views can become entrenched and blinkered .
Incidentally, as I said to Joe, I am personally indebted to your family as my own dear horses descend from horses exported from Syria by your maternal great grandfather.
My condolences to all your family.
Lisa
Dear Tina,
Your brother was always so generous with his knowledge and his passion for the Arabian horse. I only knew him through his writings, yet feel a great sense of loss at his passing.
Please take comfort knowing that Joe’s memory will live on in many hearts.
Jenny