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A Horseman's Christmas
-Doris Eraldi
It's the night before Christmas, we're out in
the barn
Blanketing horses to keep them all warm
They're eating their dinners, tucked in cozy
stalls
Not aware that it's Christmas or any special
day at all.
They can dream of spring pastures from their
pine-scented beds
No visions of sugarplums dance in their heads
But we people are thinking of merry parties
and such
Maybe feeling a little sad at missing so much
This season is special but the horses don't
know
We've got work to do before we can go
We finish the chores and head on inside
To get ready for dinner and our own yuletide
It's nearly midnight, the carols are sung
I remember a story I was told when I was
young
How at midnight on Christmas Eve
The creatures of the barnyard can speak to us
with ease
I am called to the barn, I wade through the
rain
I know I must go, I can't really explain
I slide open the door, pause for a while
Then slowly walk down that dimly lit aisle
A nicker from Casey, a wink from JD
Sleepy old Alibi waking to see
Tucker rustling his bedding, a snort and
light
Each horse gave a greeting as I walked
through the night
I thought about parties bright lit and warm
The ones we don't go to 'cause we have the
barn
And vacations and holidays that we don't get
When we're working long hours for bills to be
met
Walking all the way to the end of the aisle
I stop to stroke Bonnie, it brings me a smile
She snuffles my face, hot breath on my skin
It starts me to thinking about my horses, my
kin
I could be at parties with laughter and mirth
But where I am right now is the best place on
Earth.
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