"Second Light"

Yesterday was the running of the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Kentucky...bluegrass country and truly an equine location. Horses...whether thoroughbred, appaloosa, mustang, palomino or clydesdale... are beautiful, graceful animals... as viewed in green pastures, ridden as pleasure along scenic country roads, trained as race horses or Grand Prix jumping. Enjoy this prose I wrote a couple years ago.

"SECOND LIGHT"

The Oldest Military Blogger wrote about First Light pertaining to the D-Day event. Then he wrote a brief verse to me about 1st Light...I questioned the significance of this title. Not until much later did I comprehend that his current 1st Light was surprisingly meaningful.

This story parallels his life from a young man to his days in the US Army. Upon his return, he happily married his sweetheart and had three children (two daughters and a son).

........................................................................

The colt was born and playfully frolicked
'side his mare and his sire on the sprawling estate.

He'd freedom to roam...canter and gallop
through meadows, through woodlands,
hillsides and valleys.

The amber coated colt...and a dapple gray filly,
a handsome pair, they became!
Horse-family approved! (of course).

The skill of the colt, his speed and his strength
caught the eye of a rider whose service he sought.

Trained for the jump, he was taken to events...
there to compete...to win with his Master.

The courses were set with challenging jumps...
parallel bars, the “Castle” and “Water”.
Thousands of people to watch him were counted
...as his mount had gauged
to successfully “clear”, with no rails down.

Grand Prix, Grand Prix and Grand Prix
...his Master, he served well!
The steed's muscles were achingly sore
and his hoofs needed specialty care.

Put “out to pasture”, he looked for his filly...
a beauty of dapple gray now!
They neighed to each other and with great pleasure
they roamed through woodlands and meadows,
lush hillsides and valleys.

Two fillies of their own and a colt of gloss amber
(a happy equine family indeed).
The Sire now told them of his Grand Prix days;
and the Mare related of her days at the track.

Then, one day, the Dapple 'came ill!
All were concerned about her poor health.
The Vet, he came to minister to her,
but sadly stated, “There is no cure”

........................................................

The amber-coated Sire, how lonely he was
...his Dapple Beloved in Horse-Heaven afar.

Peace, he sought for many a year.
Green pastures invite and the sky is blue.
He now views his world
through new-found eyes.

One sunny day at his gate,
a shiny red trailer arrives.
Out steps a “Chestnut”
with wind-blown mane
and a long flowing tail.

His eyes look “in wonder”
and his ears prick up
as she neighs to him
....a warm friendly greeting!


Merle Baird-Kerr
January 13, 2009