Jun 2014
The post parade complete at last
the bugle finally played
My heart pounded as it sounded
just get us home safe I prayed
That night was like many others
as I sat behind the stud
Skies overcast, let loose at last
each horse seemed to swim in mud
__________
We turned to face the starting gate
I chirped to set him alight
All could tell as we knew too well
this was a hell of a night
Fire stoked in each the beasts nostrils
I could feel each burning breath
I knew too well, the hounds of hell
could take us both to our death
__________
We followed the gate to the stretch
the wings closed to let us fly
I tucked him in, hoping he'd win
and nothing would go awry
On back my neck breathed the Demon
front-ender that I most feared
The Devils Spell I knew too well
one the gamblers all revered
___________
Death rode the back of my helmet
his hot breath searing my neck
I’d rather he, be behind me
than in front and cause a wreck
The quarter pole bunched up tightly
the front end had closed ground
Tighter it got, man he was hot
he wanted to run me down
___________
The hooves pitched limestone in our eyes
we closed on the second turn
At my wheels, nipping on my heels
the Demon began to burn
He wanted out that was certain
but the field had closed us in
I couldn't see, neither could he
how either of us might win
____________
The Demon wasn't used to this
he had never been held back
He would burn wheels, kick up his heels
as he ran off down the track
I could hear his labored breathing
as his driver choked him down
The last turn steered, then we all cleared
it was time to go to town
__________
The field rolled out of the end turn
as the Red Sea opened wide
My stud snatched his bit, in a fit
we were off for a wild ride
Just in front of the Demon Seed
I felt we'd surely collide
I turned to see, he was on me
as he rolled up alongside
__________
But the fire had gone out in him
he had spit the bit the beast
He'd choked upon humility
or so it had seemed, at least
We had cleared the rest of the pack
stared down the Demon of Sin
To slip and slide on life’s rough ride
and come out the end to win
__________
The Demon never won again
retired of a broken heart
I think all knew, as I did too
he would draw an Amish cart
But that’s just how one grows in life
all made at times to feel small
The best aren't mean, though they are seen
to get up, each time they fall
Tate
Original with picture of Scarlet Message and I racing in Illinois
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/aristate/1022208/
the bugle finally played
My heart pounded as it sounded
just get us home safe I prayed
That night was like many others
as I sat behind the stud
Skies overcast, let loose at last
each horse seemed to swim in mud
__________
We turned to face the starting gate
I chirped to set him alight
All could tell as we knew too well
this was a hell of a night
Fire stoked in each the beasts nostrils
I could feel each burning breath
I knew too well, the hounds of hell
could take us both to our death
__________
We followed the gate to the stretch
the wings closed to let us fly
I tucked him in, hoping he'd win
and nothing would go awry
On back my neck breathed the Demon
front-ender that I most feared
The Devils Spell I knew too well
one the gamblers all revered
___________
Death rode the back of my helmet
his hot breath searing my neck
I’d rather he, be behind me
than in front and cause a wreck
The quarter pole bunched up tightly
the front end had closed ground
Tighter it got, man he was hot
he wanted to run me down
___________
The hooves pitched limestone in our eyes
we closed on the second turn
At my wheels, nipping on my heels
the Demon began to burn
He wanted out that was certain
but the field had closed us in
I couldn't see, neither could he
how either of us might win
____________
The Demon wasn't used to this
he had never been held back
He would burn wheels, kick up his heels
as he ran off down the track
I could hear his labored breathing
as his driver choked him down
The last turn steered, then we all cleared
it was time to go to town
__________
The field rolled out of the end turn
as the Red Sea opened wide
My stud snatched his bit, in a fit
we were off for a wild ride
Just in front of the Demon Seed
I felt we'd surely collide
I turned to see, he was on me
as he rolled up alongside
__________
But the fire had gone out in him
he had spit the bit the beast
He'd choked upon humility
or so it had seemed, at least
We had cleared the rest of the pack
stared down the Demon of Sin
To slip and slide on life’s rough ride
and come out the end to win
__________
The Demon never won again
retired of a broken heart
I think all knew, as I did too
he would draw an Amish cart
But that’s just how one grows in life
all made at times to feel small
The best aren't mean, though they are seen
to get up, each time they fall
Tate
Original with picture of Scarlet Message and I racing in Illinois
http://www.writerscafe.org/writing/aristate/1022208/
What makes the character of a man is the same thing that makes a horse want to win. Pride in oneself. And the ability to accept defeat. It is not as important that a man win as it is that he accept his performance and try his best. Of course anyone who lacks humility will be humbled by rocky shores of life. With or without his permission. This a poem to honor my fathers life. For he was one who always got back up when he fell. A fitting testament to the creed he learned from his own father and then passed down to me.
