FOR I WAS BORN A GYPSY HORSE - Traveling within the World2024-03-28T12:22:56Zhttps://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/forum/topics/for-i-was-born-a-gypsy-horse?groupUrl=cushtibokgypsyvannerhorse&commentId=2185477%3AComment%3A96021&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThe Old Kent HorseWe drive on…tag:travelingwithintheworld.ning.com,2011-01-27:2185477:Comment:960212011-01-27T22:13:37.053ZDept of PMM Artists & thingshttps://travelingwithintheworld.ning.com/profile/Artistsandthings
<p><b><i>The Old Kent Horse<br></br><br></br>We drive on through the night <br></br>On this snowy Christmas Eve.<br></br>But village lights ahead I see<br></br>Which offer some reprieve.<br></br><br></br><br></br>I urge my Old Horse onward<br></br>Though he is almost spent.<br></br>For he has brought us far this day<br></br>And we're here at last, in Kent.<br></br><br></br><br></br>We find a sheltered field to stop<br></br>And though the winter's chill<br></br>My wife prepares the meagre meal<br></br>For the children, who are ill.<br></br><br></br><br></br>But she and I…</i></b></p>
<p><b><i>The Old Kent Horse<br/><br/>We drive on through the night <br/>On this snowy Christmas Eve.<br/>But village lights ahead I see<br/>Which offer some reprieve.<br/><br/><br/>I urge my Old Horse onward<br/>Though he is almost spent.<br/>For he has brought us far this day<br/>And we're here at last, in Kent.<br/><br/><br/>We find a sheltered field to stop<br/>And though the winter's chill<br/>My wife prepares the meagre meal<br/>For the children, who are ill.<br/><br/><br/>But she and I will have to wait<br/>No food for us I fear.<br/>For we have travelled far this day<br/>And hunger pains grow near.<br/><br/><br/>I take the harness from my horse<br/>And lead him to a hedge.<br/>But he, exhausted, cannot eat<br/>And stands and sleeps instead.<br/><br/><br/>A stranger suddenly appears<br/>And looking at my horse,<br/>Demands of me "How much?"<br/>The man is bold and coarse.<br/><br/><br/>I know we need the money<br/>And I know we need the food.<br/>My faithful horse is past his prime<br/>And no longer any good.<br/><br/><br/>I tell the stranger of my price<br/>And he, with hand outstretched,<br/>Is quick to offer ten gold coins<br/>In response to my request.<br/><br/><br/>And I, with brimming eyes<br/>For the last time take the rope,<br/>And place it on my horse's neck<br/>But no words are bespoke.<br/><br/><br/>But no. I cannot let him go.<br/>He's been with me too long.<br/>He's been the length of England<br/>And brought us back again.<br/><br/><br/>He's pulled our painted caravan<br/>Through hail and wind and snow.<br/>He is as much my own blood now.<br/>No. I cannot let him go.<br/><br/><br/>I give the stranger back his coins.<br/>Ask him please to understand<br/>Why I cannot let my Old Horse go.<br/>He's the best in all the land.<br/><br/><br/>I put my hand about his neck<br/>My fingers through his mane.<br/>My wife gives me her knowing smile.<br/>He'll not be sold again.<br/><br/><br/>And all at once a star appears<br/>All bright in the Eastern sky.<br/>And outlined in the snowy night<br/>Are my family and I.<br/><br/><br/>We remember it is Christmas Eve<br/>And tho the years will pass,<br/>We will stay together always.<br/>Our Old Kent Horse, and us.</i></b></p>
<p align="center"><b><i><br/>Copyright Elizabeth DeLeo<br/>2006. <br/><br/><br/><br/>The above of course, is purely fiction. I wrote it as a tribute<br/>to a horse whom I think was one of the best, if not "the" best, <br/>the breed has ever known.<br/>Lizzie</i></b></p>
<p> </p>