Pain-Ridden Poem by Keith Shorrocks Johnson

Weary palfrey, who is it kicks your hide
Stumbling along the way to journey's end?
... footfalls darkening the wayside
As tones of all too early dusk descend?

Husbandry and horsemanship disapprove!
Broken beast, he has left it far too late:
He brings the whip to bear from loss of love
And growing distance from care's best estate.

Sharing anger, he rakes the bloody spur -
All honour lost - his heartlessness impressed
.. and you the mount must this disgrace endure
With scar rent flanks in faithfulness distressed.

How heavy then to bear the penalty
Of ridership with star-crossed cruelty?