For miles we drove along the sands that trim the eastern shore
Looking ahead then left and right.
A glimpse of equine history, a dip into the past pushed us onward
Seeking a sign of their existence.
Descendant horses from a bygone era that swam ashore in 1520
Staked a claim on these Outer Banks.
Feral horses that roam the dunes, endure these centuries later
Hardy stalwarts of survival.
Maritime forests and shaggy dunes make for easy hiding places
But we hope against hope for a sighting.
Then tracks we see leading from the beach up the side of a windswept dune
We approach with stealth.
At the crest of the dune, we crawl inching forward anticipation mounting
Camera at the ready.
And there they were, glorious, strong, beautiful, a stallion and his mares
Captured in our hearts and forever through lens.
