The Horseman

You knew he was in when you heard the loud din, his trademark for letting folks know, he had arrived and his voice loudly cried, to make sure that we knew it was Joe. The whole bar was alert, with ears starting to hurt, as he shouted 'hail fellows well met' with backslapping, handshaking, his volume earthshaking, as he roared his jovial outlet. He'd come to watch racing, flat and steeplechasing, It was easy money he cried, the bookies are losers, so come on all you boozers, bet these horses that I will provide. You won't need a job if you lay down a few bob, you'll be made for the rest of your life, so follow big Joe and part with your dough, you'll be a hero to your trouble and strife. He'd go watch the telly and we'd laugh from the belly, at the sounds that were coming from there. There were groans, there were moans, in really loud tones, as he shouted then started to swear. His selections all failed, as the winner they trailed, putting on a very poor show. But he swore that next time he'd pick ones in their prime, and his pockets would be bulging with dough. He went out with a grin, and said, 'when I came in, I said there was money for free, And I knew I was right, there was plenty in sight, Cos the bookies just took it from me.'