Horses in Poetry: A Poem

The Kentucky Derby ran last week with Justify claiming a victory over the other colts in the race. I watched and recalled all my experiences with these majestic beasts. My grandfather owned a horse and mule and as children, we would feed them out in the stable. His horse could be moody, but the mule had a pleasant disposition. I cherish those memories.

I remember the sad day Grandfather had to send them away. He said they were old and needed to die with dignity. They were taken to a place for aging animals to live out the rest of their days. Grandfather bought a tractor for the farm.

This poem is written for horse lovers; those of us who have had a relationship with these majestic creatures. My wife and I both rode horses for awhile and we still attend local horse shows at the county fairgrounds. Enjoy: The Jockey and His Horse Retires.

Chasing blowing wind she would not excel,

Dreams put to sleep my saddened dry pillow,

Star light stable hoisting her to small fame,

Nightmares taught her to buck beyond willow.

Her light illuminated arenas,

Fans tossing dusty kisses at her trot,

Famous canter revolved around trophies,

Galloping to first place adorned her not.

Milky white drinking speed in her stern hooves,

To cascading applause she reigned in grace,

Circus ovations throughout the nation,

Pastures and stables now fancy her pace.

“Shall I read you Sandberg, dearest of mares?

A trip to take with Browning esteemed guest?”

She pawed the grassy ground fully brooding,

Lifting her head declining any quest.

Sister said, “She is not a bitter nag,

Old, tired, and needing retirement,

Placid lake bountiful forests surrounds,

Her emerald well-kept environment.”

They put her away; she put me away,

Borders in rooms with and without walls,

My mount a chair metallic legs and wheels,

My track wooden floors in nursing home halls.

Ah! But Asgard gods promised man and horse,

Riches never to be given freely,

Dishonesty brought the apocalypse,

Ride again we will when they can’t see me.

Four Horsemen will plead for her stout back,

Native People will stroke her lustrous mane,

Cowboys will bargain for her mighty strength,

As we travel the Trails of Gold with saints.

• People in America love horses whether they are racing, performing at shows, or have encountered some injury. The cultural importance of horses to Americans encourages a respectful attitude toward the animals. Indeed, there are approximately 7 million people involved in the horse industry in the United States, and there are about 200 million horse owners, according to some estimates. Horses At the nonprofit, Flurry’s Hope – Blind Horse Rescue, are taken care of with tenderness although they cannot see. This rescue is believed to be the only one in the country which helps horses with loss vision. In a suburb of Los Angeles, horses are helping to remind the general public that people of color played a part in developing America through the Compton Posse, another nonprofit. The Spanish mustang herd found at Corolla, N.C. became the symbol for the state’s horse in 2010. (See links below.)
• A horse can run usually a few hours after birth. The height of these animals is measured in “Hands,” which is four inches. As a species, males have more teeth than females. Coincidentally, a horse’s teeth take up more room in its head than does its brain. Truthfully, horses can sleep standing up, and horses are grazers.

Corolla Wild Horse Fund. Retrieved May 12, 2018, from: https://www.corollawildhorses.com/

compton-jr-posse. Retrieved May 12, 2018, from: https://www.comptonjrposse.org/

Flurry's Hope Blind Horse Rescue, Madison, North Carolina. Retrieved May 12, 2018, from: http://secondchanceranchnc.com/