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 ".

[M Garcia]

Nicely written. Always good to see new work from anyone.

[David Lewis Paget]

Nice to see a new one from you, Tate. You give me more credit than I'm due for the metre, I'm sure it's just a modified ballad metre from way back. Thanks anyway...

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Hi Tate, You are one of the few poets aboard who know the technicalities of writing and your narrative style, like David's, is very refreshing and engaging. I am always drwan into the story. This is a wonderful tale with a moral lesson you did not need to learn because at 19 you just knew it. I hope it paid off for the rest of your life so far.Would be interested to know what you do now?

[The Random Writings Of ..]

I am just about to cry, this is such an emotional piece, and you have captured the feelings of being a part of the "family" aspect well within the racing community and with the Finn's. As you say in your Author's note, you are young you can always make more money, and it was just a matter of doing what was right. Well I think you did. In all of your pieces I can see some many lessons to be learned, lessons you were taught. You show us love and feeling of the people you introduce so I/we can feel the emotion that you did/do as well. That is why your writing is so spectacular. You have captured every moment of this piece and brought us into your world. Your rhythm and flow is key to making this another amazing piece to add to your already beautiful collection. Thank you so much for sharing. You writing is always a pleasure to read.

[Barbara Walker]

I love your narrative poetic style! When i have a bit more time, I will comment/edit for punctuation! You know me!:)

[Sirius King]

u told a really great story in a creative and artful way,,,good write!