Ode to a Strawberry Roan

Ode to a Strawberry Roan

A flighty filly, highly strung,
Prone to sudden shies.
The dogs attack, in fun no doubt,
In gleeful barking cries.

The hounds close in, she tossed her mane,
And in a sudden rush,
Her rider landed, winded now,
Into a handy bush

Of rhododendrons, in full flower,
A tangled safety net.
The filly dashed, at dangerous speed,
Homeward bound, I’ll bet.

No broken limbs but worried now,
I limp off at full speed.
A passing couple stopped their car:
“Follow that horse” I plead.

Quite gung-ho, like in a film,
The couple play their part.
At every bend, disaster looms,
I feel my beating heart.

Two miles of mad and morbid thoughts
But then I am aware,
The filly is in sight, unharmed,
The bloody stupid mare!