Snowflake

He was a midnight black stallion with little white spots;
Who only let me ride him, but others could not.
He had a temperament unstable, make no mistake;
His looks, not his personality, earned him the name of Snowflake.

Snowflake could out run and out jump other horses,
But didn’t like being confined to show jumping courses.
We received no blue ribbons and won no silver cups,
But out in the open that horse could giddy-up.

I preferred it with no saddle and he preferred it too;
My parents didn’t like it so they seldom knew
When Snowflake and I would go off by ourselves,
Riding through the canyons and the red canyon shelves.

One day he miss-stepped and off him I flew;
I broke my right leg and he broke his too.
I made my own splint and noxious with pain,
Somehow was able to mount him again.

Snowflake limped home, my tears mixing with his sweat;
The look on my mother’s face, I’ll never forget.
My leg was set and put in a cast,
But Snowflake’s ride home would be his last.

Now every winter when the first snowflakes fall
That beautiful fine stallion I lovingly recall.
I have left the canyons and my riding life behind
But a better, truer friend, I never will find.


By, Joe Flach
For Constance's Contest:  Horses and Snowflakes
I went with both "Horses" and "Snowflakes", also using Snowflake as the horse's name.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2010

Poem

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Dietrich Avatar
November 5, 2010 at 9:39 AM
Sorry I took so long to get to these contest winners. This was a magnificent story! Congratulations on first place. Andrea
Bagnall Avatar
November 2, 2010 at 5:53 AM
Congratulations on you first place
Muzzey Avatar
October 30, 2010 at 9:35 AM
Congratulations on your first place win with this wonderful write, I truly enjoyed the read. Caryl
Crisci Avatar
October 28, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Congratulations on your first place, Joe. Snowflake was certainly a magnificent horse and a great companion. I feel the sadness and the loss recalled in a bittersweet nostalgia. Enjoy the honor bestowed upon you and be proud of your achievement! Have a blessed day. Kindest Regards, Andrew.
Roberts Avatar
October 28, 2010 at 12:35 PM
what an awesome poem Joe, just love it , congrats on your first place win
Fraser Avatar
October 27, 2010 at 6:43 AM
Wonderful poetry and so deserved of it's win in Constance's lovely contest. Many congratulations Joe >> James
Sweetheart Avatar
October 26, 2010 at 3:19 PM
Congrats Joe on your number one poem in this contest .. great to be sharing first place with u my friend.. enjoy a top spot win luv.. for a great write ..
Devonshire Avatar
October 26, 2010 at 2:36 PM
So sad but beautifully written, Joe. Congratulations on your well-deserved win! Love, Carolyn
Johnson Avatar
October 26, 2010 at 12:44 PM
How very sad. I am sorry about your beautiful horse's broken leg. They are really quite delicate animals for all their size. congratualtions on a worthy win. Love, Joyce
Mehta Avatar
October 26, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Congratulations on this well deserved win. Joe
Richards Avatar
October 26, 2010 at 12:26 PM
What a wonderful, yet sad poem this was, Joe. Such tender story-telling...well done in this lovely poem. Congratulations on your big win!! :) Love, Carrie
Brown Avatar
October 26, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Congratulations Joe on your win in Constance~The Rambling Poet's contest "Horses and Snowflakes". Love, Carol
La France Avatar
October 26, 2010 at 11:43 AM
Congratulations on first place in my contest, Joe, I cried when I read this poem, it truly spoke to my heart, it is absolutely full of love and beautiful images, if you could forward you address by soupmail, I will mail your Certificate of Achievement in Poetry asap ~~ Love Constance
Mehta Avatar
October 8, 2010 at 6:41 PM
Very wonderful thoughts on horse with snowflakes, Joe
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