Milkman's Horse Poem by Colin Ian Jeffery

When I was seven
Pete, the one-eyed milkman
Arrived with horse Betsy and cart
Crates of bottled milk
Outside my family house.

Diana, three years older, with little sister
Playmates with Lionel Tomlin
Stood with me at front garden gate
Waving to Pete as he walked on bye
Carrying two pints to give to Mum.

Wanting to impress Diana, heart's first crush
I ran back forth under horse's belly
And on fourth run was kicked
In the stomach and flew away
Landing hard in our front hedge.

In agony, gasping struggling for breathe
I lay badly winded thinking I was dying
Pete returned and seeing me
Laughed and said
"That'll teach you to leave Betsy alone."