Horse-Trading Poem by Aniruddha Pathak

We've long been man's noblest of friends,
Oft sacrificing life theirs to save,
Fighting for liberty and lands,
Look how he rewards us for acts brave.

We run races for him and fair,
And waver not from hard day's work
Yoked single-breast, burden to share,
Not once our duty do we shirk.

And no one need give us a bribe,
Cajole nor coax, nor hold a gun
To get honest day's haul well done,
We come from honourable tribe.

But if we were to break our leg,
We're put to sleep by mercy shot,
Like humans we demand, nor beg
For our morrows' Provident Pot!

Now watch how parliament courses,
Watch bids and boasts in no-trust race,
Oldies, veteran war-horses,
Watch, how they still keep a brave face.

No hint, put to sleep they aught be,
Yet, let them greedily to graze
In isolate pastures haply,
That their foul footprints we erase.

If your horses are far from fair,
It does not mean ye blame us all,
Nor that we fair their burden bear,
Should Peter pay for pranks of Paul?

Insult it is to us honest horses,
Undeserved honour to their dark courses!
______________________________________________________
Whenever election verdict shows no clear majority, horse trading is often resorted to. This piece shows how horses, the real ones, feel let down by such usage.
______________________________________________________
Satire | 10.07.08 |