Along the Dusty Trail
This old horse, the Rancher said,
She’s seen some better days,
She’s eating up my profits
And costs a lot for hay.
Another horse would suit me
A stronger one at that
She’s seen a lot of miles
Like my cowboy hat.
This old horse, the Rancher said,
She helped me herd my steer
I’m pretty sure she’s magic
I know I hold her dear.
Another horse would suit me
One that can run fast
Maybe one that’s younger
Or maybe one that lasts.
This old horse, the Rancher said,
She’s long and far in tooth
My children do remember
Her fondly from their youth.
Another horse would suit me
A gelding in its prime
One that needs less fixing
That helps me save a dime!
Why, they ask, then keep her?
Why not trade her now?
Bring her to an auction,
Replace her with a cow?
The Rancher’s brow grew heavy
He took a staggered step
His eyes did show his friendship
In wrinkles, as they crept.
His breath, he took in deeply
As he poised to say his words
It’s as if the earth grew silent,
That his message could be heard.
This old horse, the Rancher said
Has given me her life.
I would not trade for anything
Nor either would my wife.
Another horse would suit me,
And perhaps someday will come,
But this old gal, I love her,
She is the chosen one.
The old horse, the Rancher said
Her services she did lend
Her and I have seen the years
This old horse, she is my friend.
Another horse would suit me well
And younger days for me
And I will keep my promise,
Until our last breath sets us free.
Facebook. March 9, 2021
This poem, like the one I posted a few weeks ago, “The Old One”, and the one I added earlier today, “Seven is the number of years”, although not as eloquent and dramatic, speaks of the same theme, appreciation for an old horse that is obviously a burden now but still highly valued for the many years of service it performed for a rancher or a rider and his family. As someone born to “city folk”, whose family would never give stories like this a glance, let alone a second glance, or to stop and read it, and transcribe it in her Blog, where love of equines and canines are celebrated in full force. my passion for these beautiful creatures is an anomaly. However, I lack for nothing on the positive scale of compassion for all animals, domestic and otherwise but especially: canine, equine, feline, avian, porcine, bovine, goats, and other barnyard animals too numerous to elucidate who live at the mercy of us humans and often suffer terribly from it. How can we wipe away their pain? Why must it be there? Part of it is financial, since veterinary care has become so expensive, and part of it is because caring for barnyard animals s so hard and labor intensive. However, I am sure animal owners cut corners on quality of care and the animals suffer from it. My heart, my passion, belong to horses and dogs, especially.
In my twenties, I rescued a thoroughbred from the track, and had a nice pleasure horse for a number of years. Financially, long term, it was not realistic in relation to my salary. Looking back, now that I am seventy, I realize it was not expensive at all, because the cost today is totally prohibitive. I turned to dogs in 2002, borzoi, the most equine-like dogs in the world. I compromised my deepest value and sold my horse, and was never being able to own on again. I was destined to always have a horse, and I failed. What I do instead today is donate to horse rescue charities in the amount to which I am able. I have found many such charities on Facebook and many wonderful people, saints, who do this work. When I find a horse poem or a piece of writing that celebrates equines, I save it because it always touches my heart. I then share it by putting it in my Blog giving it a wider audience than it otherwise might not receive because I know I have a steady readership audience for the Blog.