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On weekends it was Granddad who read his book to me
Sitting in the attic listening to his legacy
Of years recounting deeds in stories that he told
The horses that were brave and jockeys small but bold.
He’d reminisce on Phar Lap and a bloke called Jimmy Pike
Who rode the big ‘Red Terror’ throughout his racing life,
A wiry man in stature also generous and fair,
Who reached the highest pinnacle and plumbed the deep despair
Jim, he died a pauper, not a penny to his name
But not one generation forgot his claim to fame.2
Granddad’s eyes grew misty when he spoke of old George Moore
He rode them in Great Britain and took the Poms by storm
A gentleman, he said, known throughout this wide brown land
He didn’t need his whip, just used his heels and hands
Moore they said was honest and as a rider he was strong
Tulloch never lost a race when old George Moore was on.
From Adelaide to Melbourne Rain Lover came in ‘68
Far across the border, the Cup would seal his fate
The jockey he was sent along to help the horse sprout wings
It’s history now that Johnson became known as ‘Gentleman Jim’
So back they came in ’69 with Johnson still aboard
One Cup was his already, a second just reward
Granddad said that patience was Johnson’s greatest gift
He’d sit them so relaxed then ask the horse to lift
If they had no chance of winning he didn’t whip their hide
No greater thrill for people was to watch the great man ride.3
Now Scobie was a name Granddad whispered in such awe
Said he was the very best of anyone that he saw
Five Caulfield Cups, a record that stood the test of time
A medal struck to honor him that jockey’s won with pride
All strove to emulate him and Higgins did the best
Nicknamed ‘The Professor’ for his knowledge of the rest
Leilani was his favorite he used to call her ‘Mum’
Roy knew when she was ready and when the time had come
He’d whisper in her ear and sing a little song
She’d respond to the ‘Professor’ and fly down the long home straight
She won at Caulfield by four lengths and left them in her wake4
Granddad said a surfer now rode horses far more bolder
But Oliver had help, an angel on his shoulder
Damian had won cups before but this was quite a struggle
His brother lost to the sport he loved then ‘Olly’ won on Media Puzzle
At Flemington that day not a dry eye could be found
We listened to his acceptance speech and uttered not a sound.
Then Granddad closed his eyes and closed the book as well
The evening sun was setting on the stories he did tell.
That seemed a long, long time ago when he sat me on his knee
And told me of the sport of Kings that was great company
Lovingly I’ll care for it though the book has yellowed pages
I’ll add the deeds of heroes new and hand them down the ages
For heroes are born and champions move on, a new chapter takes their place
To inspire us with courage, humility and grace
He’ll always be my Granddad for as long as I will be
Remembered in my poem that bears his legacy.5
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Author notes
My granddad gave me my love of horses and racing and this is my tribute to him.
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 13 of 13
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Cute
I really enjoyed this and I do agree with cookiesforme, the pace of the story was very much like horses galloping. I really nejoyed reading it.
Great job keep up the good work,
Summer
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 5, ending: 5, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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what stood out most was the rhyming scheme and rhythm to this poem. it reminds me of a very paced and steady gait of horses. the message being conveyed it very heartfelt and sincere.
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Same old; clever wording, vivid description
The rhtyme's good too-bouncy, i thought.
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excellent
The rhythm of rhyme adds it`s own emphasis to the narrative.Though a great deal of thought has gone into the writing, it remains simplistic in text and prose.Presented thus, the reader does not need to be interested in the subject matter to understand the passion felt by `grandad'. I loved it.
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Great Job!
This was very precious. Line 5 was very precious...I loved how you ended this. I am sure he knows how much you care for him. Awesome job.
Hugs,
Kari
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I was reading this and was thinking is this confusing or what. Then, I relised it was a poem and I was reading it more as a story. Anyway I really didn't Identify with this story/poem thing. It was almost (ok it was a pain) this is because I do not identify with horse racing or grandparents because I grew up without my grandparents.
beginning: 1, language: 5, plot: 1, ending: 1, dialog: 1, characters: 1.
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Yes
This poem is not the usual upbeat that you write. It just has a feeling of superiority and grace to it. It's like this is a tail told and passed down generations. Good work.beginning: 3, language: 5, plot: 3, ending: 3, dialog: 5, characters: 5.
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interesting read.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 4, ending: 5, dialog: 4, characters: 3.
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an epic.
Great ending, switching from land to water. Good history lesson on the Austrailan racing world. I guess like most Aussies you love you're sport. I know of Phar lap, Austrailia's best ever horse.
Ps. I visited Aus in 1960, spent a little time in melbourne[Collingwood] visiting a friend. also a trip down the coast to Port Adelaidebeginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 4, ending: 5, dialog: 4, characters: 3.
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An ode to grandparents and storytelling
I think the stories our granparents so lovingly tell us define, in some way, our future. They tell us morals about life, love, friendship, family and... well, horses!
Your rhyming is excellent, very well done. The atmosphere is perfect and the poem is pure nostalgic bliss. Thanks.
beginning: 5, language: 5, plot: 4, ending: 5, dialog: 3, characters: 4.
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This is so amazing. This poem remids me of the stories that my grandparents told to me. You really have a talent for telling a story that moves and bring you right in to see what it is that you are talking about. Bravo
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I really liked it! Fantastic and very clever rhyming, as well as actually making the whole thing fit together. Quite an achievement.
beginning: 4, language: 5, plot: 4, overall: 9, ending: 5, dialog: 4, characters: 3.
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I really love this..it's an incredible written story and it's pretty good
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