Found Horse

I stumbled on this opening that I churned out to a longer form poem – I’ll probably add to it and edit it as time goes on, but here’s just the beginning…

I came upon a solitary steed,

Though in itself not a peculiar sight,

It was of gentle stand and healthy breed,

And harnessed full, ‘though middle of the night.

I circled twice upon my weary mare,

In seeking signs of owner, or of plot,

But saw I ambush none, and man nowhere,

And answers to my calling, came there not.

I sidled up beside the lonesome beast,

And through its reigns I looped a length of rope,

Though loose enough should it need be released,

In case he gallop ‘gainst my gentle lope.

A mile or two along the beaten road,

A toll house stood upon a river’s ridge,

My new companion had my progress slowed;

I had not time to seek another bridge.

I rang a bell that startled quite the boy,

Who from his duty had succumbed to sleep.

He whispered not to ring as to deploy

His master who still slumbered in his keep.

I asked him if familiar he were

With my new travelling companion,

Quick was this opportunistic young sir,

To claim the beast as his own stallion.

I laughed and told the servant boy to quit;

He had no claim to own, and I could tell.

And for his cheek to try out-do my wit,

I’d ring his master down with clanging bell.

The boy, a-turning pale and pallid hue,

Was fast to lift the gate upon the road,

Apologizing for his misdeeds few,

And that was that; I passed the small abode.