My First Ride

Disclaimer: No horses were harmed during the writing of the poem.

Well I recall, when I was young,
(Much younger that I am today).
My life, thus far, remained unsung...
When all I did was sleep and play.
I saw a horse, afore me stood,
Coat of chestnut, mane of black;
Most dazzling sight of my childhood
With lustrous seat and shining tack.

Slender legs, so firm and strong
Bearing his great body, lean;
Flowing tail so bristly long,
The very finest ever seen.
Bought for me that summer morn
Through my parents grace;
My like for horses then was born,
A lifelong fondness to embrace.

I looked way up to see this sight
Towering high above my head.
Standing gracefully aright
A proudly handsome thoroughbred.
Dare I mount him, dare I ride?
Would he take to me?
Could I seat myself astride?
Or would he firmly disagree?

I plucked up all my infant daring
Placing my left foot
In the stirrup he was wearing
An oh so tiny shoe I put.
I climbed into the leather saddle
(Assisted by my dad)
I placed my minute legs asraddle...
And rocked and rocked and rocked like mad.


                 

Reviews

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I have always found horses so beautifully sculpted by nature. A personification of nature's grace. Wild yet kindly in friendship when earned loyal to a fault. Though in my 57 yrs of life I have only rode a horse once in my life. I will never forget it. The unspoken bond forged. Excellent write Alan.

[Alan S Jeeves]

I have loved horses for as long as I can remember (and maybe longer) Carlos. I wrote these words in 1984 - not as a commercial poem, rather for myself. It has been published on the internet 3 times previously and many people have commented on it (to my pleasant surprise).
There is nothing quite like being at one with a horse, especially where I live with miles and miles of Yorkshire moorland within which to lose one's self.
You really must get back in the saddle Carlos.
Kind regards, Alan

[Chris Shaw]

Ah so endearing. A child's joy. A rocking horse if they are lucky enough to own one. Giddyup I want to say. Giddyup. You took me back quite a few decades with this write Alan. Beautifully composed and visual with it. Quite lovely.

Chris

[Alan S Jeeves]

I graduated to real horses soon after that Chris, and they have stayed with me ever since. Great memories of them and each one rocked _ in their own way, of course.
Kind regards, Alan