OUR Hero Has ARRIVED
When we were children playing in the street
we had our hero, usually a rugged actor
perhaps it was Gary Cooper. He had to be tall
walk with a swagger
To be able to do things like flying a plane, drive
a car, horseback riding a must
There was Mars, a planet we spoke of mainly
because it sounded warrior-like
We knew Mars was the planet our hero would
go to Mars sorting out the people, there would
be a shot out, he won easily despite a bullet hit
his sheriff shield
When landed back on earth, spend time with
us teaching us how to tame a wild horse
what do you know?
among us here and now, let me present our
here of yore was not fantasy, Elon Musk!
He lives or dreams, a hero who can do anything
a beautiful mother who doesn't shout at him
for not eating porridge and sardines
He lives our dreams, and best of all, he is going
to Mars and slay the dragon
Elon Musk is a living example that dreams
can become real, lamentable, it took too long
most of my contemporaries have gone to Valhalla
or for those who became sailors on
the island of Saragossa
Picked up Jane and we're walking to the balcony,
and shown where we'll be sitting as the crowds mose-in,
and there's some excitement 'neath the floor we had left,
sparked favored light applause from one estranged bereft,
we're bemused fetching about well anchored split views,
what fabled then hath waned onto a seasick cruise,
be no mistake of it with drinks, friends do what's best,
hotel days reminisce thanks to Clint' absent guest,
as they all three turned out as definite no show,
with the place still hoping Jane decided to go,
particularly since she got to go to work that night,
lead's A.M. show and luncheon, I'd sleep on-site.
Jane is a night auditor, a night accountant,
close a hotels daily in and out dependent.
Pebble Beach Lodge is a five-star golf course hotel,
be rooms, restaurants, banquets and bars, is the nutshell,
spas, saunas, massage, yoga, thereapeutic and
salons, horseback riding class, pool concession stand,
and yes, golfing lessons as par for the course, please,
they're not free as they're taught by legends--like their fees.
... home tomorrow ...
Pitching a leg across the nether
Of a pretty appaloosa or possibly
A chestnut bay who needs to know
That she’s being ridden by someone
Who will take her through the paces,
Strides both gentle and regulated
By a walk, a canter, a gallop, a sprint
Where she feels all her steps
Light, loose and limber as liquid love
That rains down from a heart who
Gives this mare the greatest rides
Through meadows, across hills
Into the kindness of life filled with
Delights, pleasures, sweetest bliss
Brought to life on the back end
Of a horse who listens to the kindness
Whispered through laughter, light
Chortles felt by the spirit who believes
“cowgirl up” brings plenty of dreams
To life on the back of a mount who needs
Only to be ridden without restriction
By a rider who knows the key to any heart
Is found at the end of a set of reins
Where equine love trots into command
Poetry In Motion Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Matt Caliri
December 23, 2022
Let’s go horseback riding; it will be fun!
I say “I don’t want to.”
She keeps hounding me.
I say “Do you want me to lie?”
I finally lie.
Because I fell off a horse
When I was five
When I was eight
When I was thirteen.
None of these times was fun.
Don't get distracted by the sound of the rain beating the wood,
You may as well chant and keep walking steadily as you could.
Bamboo stick and straw shoes are better than horseback riding,
Nothing is frightening,
As in palm-bark cape I can simply ignore the raining.
The cool spring breeze sober me up with a slight sense of cold,
And I see on the hilltop a smiling face the setting sun does hold.
Looking back at the rain-ridden path which I’ve just come along ,
Let’s go to the place where I belong,
And forget about the sunshine and rain so strong.
Sandy beaches, crystal-clear lakes
Enchanted forests, tasty clambakes
Sailing, swimming, horseback riding
In recessed caves, mysteries hiding
Air-conditioned resorts
All the comforts of home
Freshly manicured grounds
Open spaces, room to roam
Marshmallow roasts round the campfire
Souvenir discounts for discriminating buyers
Visit G-d's country, drink in the fresh air
Wonders and attractions for everyone, everywhere
Kick back and relax -- weather's always sunny
'Till that magic moment when you run out of money
Do you remember, dear, we were young
It was dusk and we’d gone horseback riding
Stopped to sip riesling wine
Nibble grapes and cheese
With much passion you unfurled your intentions
Detailed how you saw the future together
Getting married, building a house
And then maybe children to call our own
You asked me to consider it
I said there was nothing to think about
So it was that with a kiss we sealed the deal
There was no greater honour in my heart
And on the outside I know I glowed
For we both knew we were creating history
AP: 3rd place 2022
Submitted on March 3, 2018 for contest EIGHT-WORD CHALLENGE sponsored by ROBERT HAIGH - RANKED 9TH
All my life I've been extra large plus
I'm known as a very large fellow
I would easily pass as a school district bus
If somebody painted me yellow
"No secret to losing weight" I've been told
"Just cut the fat from your diet"
"Get up and about even if it's cold"
Once again, I decided to try it
But, jogging was something senseless to me
And riding a bike seemed insane
Joining a gym involved a large fee
And lifting weights was a pain
So for exercise I choose horseback riding
It's fun and easier than it sounds
It's a very effective form of dieting
'Cause my horse lost forty pounds
I‘m a skinny hungry ghost fill my bag till it bursts
with your candies hard and soft jelly beans tootsie rolls
fill! Or I’ll sac you into my bag tie and sell you
to witches as a rag at the HAHA Trading Post
where the caldrons are steaming hearts in snake oil rats and frogs
rattling through the eerie night waiting for children blood
skeleton heads, empty eyes, bones and teeth, screeching sounds
witches dancing with vampires vomiting children blood
headless knights on horseback riding branding bloody swords
wood legged pirates from the sea: slimy hairs, warty skin
sounds of heavy footsteps coming, dinosaurs charging
winged monsters claws as spikes, hooting owls, crawling spiders
Thanks and BOO! Go inside, have a hollowed ghastly night.
Third Place: Russell Sivey- Halloween Scare-11/9/17
Modes Of Transport.
What forms of transport have evolved from when time first begun
We'd use our legs to walk and climb and we learnt to run.
Then horse drawn carts and horseback riding became a popular way.
Men would work and plough their fields and break their backs each day.
Then fast forward to modern day
with so many changes found
not only can one travel fast
but one can leave the ground.
With boats, cars, trains and planes
and bicycles to boot
with so many changes here at hand
travel is a hoot.
With so many changes in travel
and it's effect on the human race,
It will not be long before Astronauts
whisk us off to space.
** This poem is in memory of Jesse Lewis. Jesse was a six-year old boy who died in the Sandy Hook Shooting. Jesse died while leading the other children to safety.
He rides to the place of glory.
He rides to the place of the Lord.
Jessie will sometimes act like the pint-sized Scrooge to make the angels and people laugh and smile.
He had a lot of courage and love inside of him.
Now he will go horseback riding.
Helping people ride into the gates of heaven.
HORSEBACK DECIDING
I recall that laughter, that happiness and smile
she made the sunshine seem dull and not nearly so bright
I make myself remember but only for a while
because the memory of her turns day into night
we laughed together by a fire on the beach
and sang two part harmony to our favorite song
we sucked on a succulent peach
and it seemed as if nothing in the world could go wrong
I recall taking her horseback riding
and how I laughed as she screamed down the trail
it seems not her but the horse was doing the deciding
as it chewed on it's bit and flicked its tail
all these moments are meandering in my memory's file
she gave me enough but I still yearned for more
but then came the violence, the voraciousness and vile
DEAD AT TWENTY FOUR
© 2012.....copyright PHREEPOETREE ~free cee!~
In the past during many a generation,
a horse has been used for transportation.
Usually obedient animals not needing a goad,
they are quite strong, and can pull a heavy load.
Horseback riding is a past time many know.
On a country trail, it’s the way to go.
Sometimes, horses are animals with a mind of their own.
If they don’t like a rider, that person can be thrown.
Horses can be insubordinate and very fickle.
If you fall off a horse, it doesn’t tickle.
These creatures can be a very faithful friend.
However, they can cause injury that may be hard to mend.
The red earth trembles under the hooves of a few
Godless rebels, burning under the Nevada sun,
and you can see them at the border, beating
a wild fire into a smoking gun, and in the evening,
as the gunpowder ground stains black, shadows
on horseback riding through long dismantled towns,
stop, and smoke a cigarette (in lieu of Wovoka
death chant), to bring their bones to peace,
ashes to sand, dead memory to life,
and ride on again as ghosts.
What say you to a game of cards?
But, sir, how much better you are!
A game of chess, mayhap is bought?
Sir, you are witty, and beat you I'll not!
Then perhaps a turn about the hall?
Surely not, for I will fall!
How's your skill with arrow and bow?
I should tell you to lay low!
A sword, then, is your take?
Only, sir, if it is fake!
Horseback riding-of this do you fear?
Oh most definitely, for the horse will rear!
Is there nothing you can do?
Why, I'll play hearts with you!
What is this if I may ask?
Beware, for it's no easy task!
I'm up for the challenge, what entails?
Reciprocation, sir, for the one who fails!
Deal-I say, when do we start?
Never, sir, for you've stolen my heart!
Related Poems