Joe Peacock

 

Irish Joe

 

The track was crowded with shouters

 

for the long shot Irish Joe,

 

now neck and neck, and having bet

 

him there, I whip him on to victory,

 

racing form against my knee,

 

as surely as his rider.

 

 

 

I glance at you

 

with triumph in my smile

 

and see you sobbing,

 

hear you cry "Stop hitting him"

 

as if the horse’s

 

long and painful strides

 

remind you of your own.