The Widecombe Fair Chestnut Mare Poem by Alan S Jeeves

A young chestnut soon takes my fancy
At Widecombe Fair's summer sale.
But a blaze on her nose
Sealed the deal, I suppose,
And the flail of a ruby red tail.

They cantered her round in the bull ring
I watched her, as handsome she stood;
I thought on the day
I would, if I may,
Adopt her ~ If only I could.

The auctioneer called her to enter
The bidding was due to be heard
When I tendered a price
And amended it twice
Then followed it up with a third.

The offers were bellowed and gestured
And each drove the asking price high.
For horsehair and hoof
The price hits the roof
And is fixed with the wink of an eye.

The arena ebbs heatedly silent
Where perspiring droplets are shed.
My heart skips a beat
And falls to my feet
As I just sense the nod of my head.

So, finally everyone falters
(And much to the dealer's delight)
The gavel falls ~ slam!
How gladsome I am,
As she sleeps in my stable tonight.