Old Man Finn

Old man Finn

Out on the track that fateful day

I had just turned to train a mile

When old man Finn, asked where I'd been

could he tag along for awhile

"Of course" I said, he turned his mare

we set out for the quarter pole

The leisured mile, we made in style

a two forty clip was the goal

 

Reaching the quarter then the half

we were on track to make the grade

Three quarters down, I turned around

to see man being measured, weighed

Finn's mare was at a full gallop

bitten by a horse fly I'd thought

Over the rail, with Finn in trail

their fates tied to the lessons taught

 

He'd been thrown over the withers

came down hard on the limestone track

Finn was quite old, cut of the mold

of men who go forward not back

I pulled my horse up, turned around

hoping to help him if I could

Perhaps a stroke, his hip was broke

he lie gasping against the wood

 

We then took up a collection

to help the old man convalesce

Each of us knew, Finn's hopes were few

as this made of his life a mess

Kind and charmed I knew him to be

many strapping sons to his name

 Sadly those then, who knew him when

said life would never be the same

 

I had saved a little money

a sizable sum for a lad

As I was young, my life unsung

I had given them all I had

My father seemed a bit upset

"I can't believe you sometimes son

Hard as it is, in the horse biz

why give away all that you've won"

 

Each of us knew the hardships then

we shared part and parcel the same

But as a boy, I took no joy

in most truths of that deadly game

I ran my horse four days later

the Finn's drove in every race

My mare set back, end of the pack

that night circled the field in place

 

All of them laughed as I rode by

hell they might just as well have waved

Each of them smiled, faces beguiled

yet they were all so well behaved

That night his boys were good to me

I grinned as I knew I'd been played

 Cut of the core, that taught me more

from pioneer stock they were made

Author's Note

When I raced horses I met some of the most interesting souls. To them the family made up of fellow horsemen were a world unto themselves . In many ways they taught me most of the values I hold dear. We were racing the secondary circuit. No one seemed to have any money most of the time. The blow dealt the Finn family that day was so devastating I couldn't help but feel it. After that the Finns regularly schooled me. Each time I was in to race my own horse. However I have to say there was nothing like watching the Friday night fights in the paddock with Freddie and whomever stepped on his toes. The Finns were tough, kind and consoling. In short they were cut of the fiber that once tamed this country straight from pioneer stock!

Reviews

[lee von cleef]

Life gives, and gives, so does Tate,we can't all do all, but through writers like Tate,we can take a cart ride,be a friend to Finn, even love the man and world of hard work, morning pride , a elder asking to be by our side, Share Tate's poems
Read them aloud, Paget's too, teach your friends to "feel"again,I think they can, we can crack our worlds "Conscious Comma ".

[zainul]

Too many good things in a single offer.
Tate, you are great poet and philosopher.

[Mic]

Great story. Love a story in verse, especially when set to meter. Most hard to accomplish.

Very well done.

[Tomi]

The saying "Living is giving" comes to mind... this is very inspirational! for you to have done something so wonderful at such a young age is truly amazing...another amazing story of frienship and Love! at the end of the day, it's not only what we get that matters but what we give and those we love.. You really have lived life sir! Excellent poem! Thank You for sharing this..

[MoriartyMesa]

I am sorry to say the bulk of my thoughts made me think I need to get my a*s to Bay Meadows this weekend.

[eatmills]

Your note added to your wonderfully written poem. Thank you for the share and the lessons. I hope your timing will help others.

[Nautili]

Thanks for the read request, I really enjoyed it. You have had such a fascinating life; you remind me of an old balladeer.Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

[MOON]

Beautiful write full of emotion and love.

[TL Boehm]

wonderfully view into a part of your life. You are a story teller and this piece was fascinating. OF course I am biased - I've always had a soft spot in my heart for horses.

[Robbie~xoxo~]

As I read this I am taken to a place of adventure, heartache, and pride... It's always an amazing journey. Your work is brilliant and written from your own personal experiences... transcending an honest heartfelt emotion through your expression of this piece. Great write, my friend!