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 ".

[Baby Ricochet]

Tate my man you are WAY to classy for this site. Most of us are working out issues in written word & some of it well, not so good. You on the other hand, you write such beautiful stories I'm just gonna sit here with my mouth hanging open for awhile. Between you and me when I first starting writng poetry a whole two months ago I thought swearing equaled art and all my reviews said "wow! you're so raw!" After I read some of your stuff and Lewis Paget I cut back on the F bombs. So you guys have been a positive influence.

[.]

Tate, this is an amazing poem. I feel like you experienced so much in your life, and that those specific lessons are reflected in most of your poetry. The way your work sings and flows, you are an amazing story teller. Bravo ,my dear bard and friend. Thank you for this beautiful piece.

-Cord

[Lena M. P.]

There is a special camaraderie between horse people that you don't see anywhere else. They are a competitive lot, long on tales, mean as nails and yet the kindest most giving souls at heart. You have touched the essence here Tate with a very good poem.

[quinfinn]

okay, yes, i get it...i have done some writing similar to what you describe...very heartfelt and charming write...btw

[Shimmerbliss/CAF]

This is another of your poems that is an experience. Your author's notes always add so much, and as for your ability to hold to a strict form, well that need not be said. This sounded wonderful, could hear the beat of horse hooves, and touches the heart with your memories and those of my own.

[Marie]

You were right. It's easier to make money than friends. I don't know much about racing, but the way you describe it is exciting and colourful.

[Sahar moonlight]

This was an awesome write.
The story was great and was flowing very smoothly!

[Pratik]

It is wonderful to see how you take instances of your life and create something so beautiful.. Moreover reading your poem is a learning experience! The way you have mastered the rhyming styles and all its technicalities and at the same time preserve the flow of the poem is unique! All your poems are stories told from the heart.. simple yet endearing! Loved it! Well done mate!

[Dr. Wood ?]

you tell your stories well my friend, it is good to chronicle such moments in verse, it gives it life...Great poem