Dee, The Young Master’s Mare Poem by C R Clark

She was just a new endeavor, maybe about half grown
But there was “spirit” in her eyes the day the boy brought her home

I thought the new would wear off and his interest soon would fade
But he never shirked his time with her his dedication never waned

The sun shown on her flaxen mane, in the field, as she romped and played
And she looked like an Indian pony running free out on the range

The boy fed and stroked her, groomed and talked to her and she knew
That he really cared about her and so the love between them grew

As, often times it happens, things longed for seem to hide
And it seemed the time would never come when Dee was old enough to ride

But, if one thing’s true in this life, time moves at a natural pace
We can never speed the process all things have a time and place

When, at last, the time had come and her back could bear the load
He placed the saddle on her and gently climbed aboard

Though she was somewhat nervous the load did not offend
It seemed she truly recognized the one who rode her was her friend

Each day they rode the back roads and the trails around the place
As dreams of competitions began to take on shape

They joined up as “pard’ners” with the “Dark Horse” racing team
Chuck wagons raced around the track, the competition there was keen

They, two, would chase the wagons as they raced around the track
They had to cross the finish line before their wagon team could pass

They ran in many races and many times they won
Their first year in competition, in the state, they were number one

It was wondrous just to watch them as they raced around the track
This beautiful paint with flowing mane and my son sitting on her back

They took home many prizes, gold buckles, trophies and such
But, compared to the love between them, those things didn’t matter much

They say when you’re on the bottom the only way to go is up
Sadly, the opposite is sometimes true when you’re already on the top

One day Dee started limping and daily it got worse
There was no apparent reason for this dreadful, sudden curse

It was saddening just to watch her try to walk on hooves so sore
And then she lay down on the ground, she could stand and walk no more

The “Doc, ” again was summoned, his words were “chilling” as icy rain
He said if Dee were his horse, he wouldn’t let her bear the pain

With heavy heart and defeated gaze the boy then acquiesced
And, as the potion was prepared, his heart sank in his chest

The boy then dropped down to his knees and placed his face against his friend
In that moment there was silence as the potion was put in

As the pain eased in her body, as if whispered in the wind,
It seemed an almost audible voice said, simply, “thank you, my friend”

Copyright: C.R. Clark 3/24/07