The clip clop of hooves on the cobbled streets sounded
The dawning was not far away
While sleepy eyes opened to the sound of the wagon
That would bring them their milk for the day
The great big Clydesdale that was pulling the wagon
Seemed happy to be on the go
Moving along – he was swaying in motion
To the whistling song of big Joe
The children came out to rejoice with his coming
They laughed as they ran at his side
And the old Clydesdale kept clip clopping onward
Down through the valley so wide
All of the people would smile when they saw him
The milk horse was doing his beat
And the sound of the hooves clip clopped on the roadway
And down to the end of the street
The clinking of bottles was heard through the valley
Each day as the milk cart went on
Delivering milk to the people that lived there
Until every bottle was gone
The valley was proud of the horse that had served them
All the years he had pulled on the dray
Making his round through the sleepy old valley
And bringing them milk every day
9.10.2004
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We didn't have a milk horse but the farm where I grew up had 2 shire horses and I often rode in the wagon watching the great haunches swaying to the steady pace. A local farm close by still keeps some shire horses and we also have a Heavy horse charity n the area that is trying to make sure the old breeds aren't lost to us. I love horses as do my daughter and granddaughter that is my granddaughter in my avatar on the horse she has on loan.
A nostalgic trip down memory lane but it also brings memories not so good of the cruelty often dished out to these beautiful animals ... Black Beauty once read never forgotten ..
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Thank you so much for reading and yes, I agree it can bring sad memories with it too. These horses were simply amazing and knew just what they were doing and where they were going. I can still recall them clopping along the street back in the 70's. I am so glad you liked it.
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Clysdale Memories
My dear friend..what a joy you bring to us readers with your story poems as this one, as the era of the milk horse is one of our past, but should not be forgotten..My grandmother in Scotland used to deliver milk in a wagon each morning, but I am sure there were these horses too.
Your story poems are a treasure for children and adults..and you should compile them into a book, my dear. I think this is a favorite because the novelty of the milk horse has an endearing past....Keep penning my dear friend...You are one of a kind with your gifting in writing!Bravo!
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Thank you so much my, dear friend. Your words really are very touching and I appreciate your wonderful comments. I sent a book off to the publishers a while ago but They were not interested. Maybe I should try the poetry and see what happens.
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smiles i love this
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Thank you.
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Loud applause "C" for this little gem. So beautifully majestic is the heavy horse, and a very sad day when they dissapeared from our streets . I love this write and the nostalgia.....Excellent as always my friend
...mal
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Whoa this is like a fairytale on its own!
Bravo
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Thank you. I am glad you liked this.
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Lovely. Brings back memories of when it did happen like that. Our milko didn't use clydesdales as they were too big. Similar horses only smaller were the ones. That horse knew every customer on the whole milk run.
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Thank you, Bob. Yes, I can remember the milk horse clopping along the street right up until the early seventies. It was a sound I will never forget.
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That brings such a beautiful picture to mind of days gone by. Life at such a slower pace, when there was time for family and neighbours, knowing what was important and having values. There were still those who had everything and some who had nothing but that still goes on despite all the "progress". The rumble of the cart wheels, clank of glass bottles, milkmen always whistled and those steady old hooves would plod along at his own sweet pace. The gentle giants of the horse world were worth their weight in gold. Such a pleasure to read this, very well done. Sheila
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Thanks. I also remember them although maybe not as long as I would have wished. Sound that those days are gone. Everything seems to be rush rush rush these days. Thank you for stopping by.
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what nice imagery you create with this piece...love the lasting impressions you've given me today. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Very well done.
Rory
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Thank you. That is a wonderful comment from you and one that is treasured as I know how much you love horses. I will drop by on the weekend to catch up on some reading. I need to go back aways as so far I cannot find something of yours I haven't read yet. I will though...
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This is an incredible piece my friend I love the way that this is written!!!!!! Every word and line so perfectly written and penned!!!!!! Your details and descriptions are truly marvelous I love the way that you described the horse and the people and the children!!!!!! This is a very lovely piece!!!! I enjoyed reading it very much!!!! I love you well done!!!!!!
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Thanks, Princess. Your comments are truly appreciated and I will drop by as soon as I can. Hope you are putting new items on.
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Simple, but Elegant
Sometimes I wondered how it would feel to be a milk-man back in the day. Having a Clydesdale pull my car as I whistled a happy tune, bringing smiles and milk to the happy families on the neighborhood. Your visuals are purely stunning, your descriptions are graceful and filled with the actually feeling of hearing the milk man. I thank you for this refreshing feeling. You made me smile today, which I really needed.
~Sey
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Thank you so much. I am really glad that I could make you smile. Your comments were very beautiful. I will drop by as soon as I can.
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BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES!!!!
I often sit and wonder if those times were not the best ones! They may have been hard times, ones of hard work and long hours but it just seems that then families meant more, friends were more precious, in general times to cherish. 's
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I really have to agree with you there. I think the care and understanding of yesteryear has gone by the wayside. Sad really. Thank you for commenting and will come by as soon as I can.
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This was so lovely - it reminded me of an Enid Blyton story, or perhaps Joyce Stranger; someone like that who could write to make both children and adults alike want to read it!
Always wished I'd been around in the time of horses pulling the milk / the bone carts / even carts carrying the dead, morbid as that sounds. It sounds so lovely, if the horses were treated well that is, to be using animals in day to day lives like that. remember seeing them in Montreal, and most were ingood condition, pulling carts - made sure we chose a horse in good health before hiring a driver for a while
Lovely poem [as usual!!]
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Thanks, mate. I think that the horses would have been well looked after as you wouldn't want a sick horse on the job. That wouldn't look good to people. Such beautiful animals and these milk horses were so intelligent and knew just what they were doing.
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Lovely! I'm really enjoying these older poems mate. Thanks for sharing with us!
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Thank you, mate. I am so glad you liked this. This was actually a follow up to another poem about the same horse. That poem was called "One lonely bell' Thank you for stopping by.
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Ahh how gorgeous The horse knew his route and could have done it without his driver Such softly flowing imagery of days gone by. Where has all the peace and tranquility gone.
Gorgeous lyrical rhyme
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Thanks, mate. I can still remember waking up to the sound of the milk horse in the early morning - right up to 1972. They were the days, weren't they/
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Oh for the return of the old milkman and his fine horse and cart OK I'm an oldie and can recall such times Now days kids don't even know that milk comes from cows For them it grows in a plastic container of carton
A fine write and wonderful read
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Thanks, Legend. Yes, I use to love the sound of the horses as they went on their rounds in the early morning. Was a beautiful sound. Now the only clip clopping you hear is from high heels and that isn't pleasant to my ears.
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