Old Riley stood below the old willow tree
A dream in his heart – a memory to see
A vision before him – as clear as can be
Old Riley was thinking of running round free
The mountains way yonder had captured his eye
The clouds floating over the endless blue sky
Old Riley was thinking but didn’t know why
He was penned in this field as all passed him by
The trees of the forest were calling it seemed
The gurgling stream and the valley so green
And the birds flying over were singing the theme
Of freedom to Riley who yearned for his dream
There in the yard he was watching the bay
The colt he had fathered that blissfully played
And raced back and forth in the field every day
While Riley stood thinking of times far away
Now he’d lived a good life and he didn’t complain
For he’d had a good friend in old Tommy Blaine
The horseman who had given old Riley his name
And had loved old Riley and Riley the same
Old Tommy Blaine came a walking one day
And saddled old Riley and they both stole away
Out into the meadows where the deer were at play
And the river was running where the shadows did stray
He spoke to old Riley of the days long ago
When as a young colt he had raced through the snow
With the flakes flying up and his mane all a flow
And he turned and gazed at that silent willow
The horsemen had run him right down through the glen
And in through the forest and upward again
Till Riley was tired and just couldn’t contend
With the steeds he was fleeing and the will of these men
They broke old Riley’s young spirit that day
Roped him and led him from his home, far away
To this place where he found he was committed to stay
Never to wander now, never to stray
Now here they both stood in the meadow out there
Old Riley and Tommy in the cool morning air
And there was silence all round the grey ageing pair
Tommy and Riley had something to share
Tommy then planted a kiss on the bay
Unsaddled old Riley and softly did say
Go now my friend, today is your day
And old Tommy turned and wandered away
Day’s crept by and old Tommy grew sad
Missing the friend in Riley he had
Though for old Riley’s freedom he was feeling quite glad
He was tired and lonely and feeling so bad
Then one morn as Tommy sat there in his chair
He heard a whinny that came from somewhere
It blew in on the wind – on the cool morning air
And Tommy gazed out at the shadow out there
It was old Riley coming – he was homebound again
He’d loved all the freedom but missed his old friend
He had made his way back from the once calling glen
He knew he would never leave Tommy again
Now old Riley stands below the old willow tree
Glad to be home – just glad to be
Home where he knew his spirit was free
Free to be where he wanted to be
6.4.2009
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Comments
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Superb Plus +
'tis a very fine write, indeed. Imagery; rhythm, and rhyme are just fine. Thanks for sharing this one with us.
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Thank you for reading.
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This is quite lovely, "Condor".Lilting verse , flowing without tripping up ; like a wild horse in a carefree gallop! And it really touched the heart!
My Mom and Dad were both raised on farms: while my mother is an excellent gardener, she never liked a "stinky" old barn. But my Dad loves animals ( he could milk a cow at three, he says) and he has many stories he tells fondly about the horses. Would you mind if I make a copy of your poem to send to him? He is fond of poetry and I'm sure he would enjoy this!
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Thank you for your wonderful comments. You can copy away. It would be an honour to have someone who loves horses so much read it. Thank you.
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I'll give you his feedback! thanks!
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I don't know how you can tell a story in rhyme and never force a line. Just great. Your a master of that.
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Thank you. I use a lot of humming to keep the flow going. Works most of the time.
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Brilliant...it held me from the very first word to the last. You certainly have the gift of being able to tell a wonderful story, filled with vivid imagery...loved it and thanks for sharing
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Thank you. I am glad this one caught your attention.
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The picture took my breath away, for it could have been my Jacob there. The poem Wonderful!!! Everything about this is just beautiful...I should like to save this with your permission please. My friend you have excelled yourself with this truly lovely write....mal
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Thank you so much, Mal. I would be more than honoured for you to save this. The picture of the horse is truly beautiful and it was this that got me writing this piece in the first place. Thank you for reading.
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Oh this is just so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes! My you have such talent. 
This is just sensational!
Gaylene
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Thank you, Gaylene. I am so glad you liked this piece. It took me some time to get this story down pat.
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