They Hang Horses, Don'T They

Once, a strange structure appeared in a barn yard
difficult not to  notice, a scaffold to hang horses
for throwing their masters
Dumb and never protesting they were led up the ramp
built like a stairway to heaven
With never any last minute salvation
No 'Pegasus' wings that sprouted from the withers.

Hooves crossed on the chest each was duly blest
and I wonder if each mistook the noose 
for a lasso around its neck.

With one somb're bell a'ringing the hangman pulled the lever
'There are no last minute requests for horses being executed'

Justice done again?
Yet it seems in the equine world
hanging has served as no deterrant.

Inherant in all horses is an urge to 
throw their masters.

Give Me Your Best James Tate
Contest Judged:  12/1/2016 12:00:00 AM
Sponsored by: Space Cadet 
6th Place

100 in a ROW contest -- 8
Contest Judged:  7/30/2016 8:24:00 PM
Sponsored by: Poet Destroyer A 
6th Place
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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Cadet Avatar
December 1, 2016 at 10:27 PM
Fantastic poem! Congratulations on the contest. -- Wesley C.
Delaney Avatar
December 3, 2016 at 6:24 PM
Thanks Wesley for my placement in your contest. It is great to meet you. SuZ
Dom Avatar
July 31, 2016 at 4:26 PM
This is brilliant. 7.
Devnath  Avatar
July 31, 2016 at 11:07 AM
Beautiful thought penned with nice style. Congrats on your win. A 7. Hugs, Cloudy Poet
Kent Avatar
July 30, 2016 at 11:02 PM
Extremely creative! Congrats on the win.
A   Avatar
July 30, 2016 at 8:45 PM
Suz, Congratulations on your win. Thank you for supporting my contest --- 101 in a row. :) Stop by my blog "They Hang Horses, Don't They?" if you'd like. Always & Forever ~LINDA~
Hicks Avatar
October 22, 2014 at 1:07 PM
I take it you have a soft spot for horses. Is this scaffolding where they hang horses have any grains of truth in it? I absorb the thought provoking message, but am curious about the inspiration.
Delaney Avatar
November 6, 2014 at 11:05 PM
Hi Timothy: I wrote this to a one phrase challenge which was, ' A strange structure appeared...' amazing what comes out of a few words. I guess depending what structure you pick and on where you locate it anything could emerge...lol
Toran Avatar
August 4, 2013 at 5:24 PM
So true! The death penalty's alive and well. Especially here in Texas. We lead the nation in executions and people are still killing! A deterrent? I don't think so. A point well taken!...Milt
Delaney Avatar
November 6, 2014 at 11:06 PM
Thanks Milt.
Duncan Avatar
August 2, 2013 at 4:59 PM
love this write,,, and I remember the title from a movie "Robert Redford & J. Fonda ? "
Kendrick Avatar
July 31, 2013 at 11:38 AM
I do like this one..Excellent topic chosen and excellent presentation..I feel that it could be an underlying subtle meaning penned in these lines..Thanks for stopping by..I am honored that you found my simple work worthy of favs..Sara..This one is going into my favs also..
Sirak Avatar
July 31, 2013 at 6:38 AM
Love it. A brilliant satirical poem. Made me think of the Far Side comics where animals are used to illustrate the folly of man
Delaney Avatar
November 6, 2014 at 11:07 PM
Yes satire is sometimes more effective than truth as it bites your back...lol
Mohammed Avatar
July 30, 2013 at 8:12 AM
Hi Suz,thanks for capturing that sad feeling in me for these helpless creatures.I guess the horse killers will give you quite a different perspective to justify the kills.Thanks for your ever so sweet comments on my poems.Your new friend Mustapha.
Newman Avatar
July 30, 2013 at 5:06 AM
Oh my, this just broke my heart,, I felt sick,,, I know they kill horses like they kill many of GOD's beautiful creatures, but I did not know this cruelty very sad for me but a great write,,, good on you for bringing the horrid act to light,,, blessings sueellen
Delaney Avatar
July 30, 2013 at 1:42 PM
This is only from my imagination.....it doesn't really happen this way.
Delaney Avatar
July 30, 2013 at 1:41 PM
Please don't be sad....this is just my way of commenting on the Death penalty, as not being a deterrent . I actually love horses.
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