Ready, Set Race

How many times

can you

ride a horse

without breaking it's back?

Racing and racing

with out even asking,

because humans

can't speak horse.

We never ask;

how it feels

to have the saddle strapped on,

we never ask;

how it feels

to have that bosal around the nose,

we never ask;

how it feels

when those blinders are placed

and we mount up

and ride—

taking for granted

weight of us upon the horse,

blinders, so they only see,

what we want them to.

We expect him

to run,

and not only run,

run well;

and not only well,

but to win the race.

Blinders positioned, jockey

on back, whip

in hand; run,

run, (whip) faster,

faster, (whip) harder,

harder, (whip) win,

win, (whip).

But we never ask

how does it feel,

when we mount

their back,

with the expectation

of running.


©2008 Clarence Barbee