Muse and Mint

Chapter 74: THE OLD SOR’L HOSS

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

About This Book

A varied collection of short lyrical poems that observes nature and rural life, using seasonal imagery—sap, snow, rivers, cherries—and simple domestic scenes to reflect on change, beauty, and small joys. Sections shift between fireside recollections, sentimental and philosophical meditations, homiletic and religious pieces, and light humor, blending devotional songlike verses with moral aphorisms and affectionate memory. The voice moves between wistful and buoyant moods, finding consolation and ethical insight in commonplace experiences, while concise stanzas and vivid images emphasize mood and moral reflection rather than a continuous narrative.

THE OLD SOR’L HOSS

The old sor’l hoss limps up the lane

And whinners for his oats;

But he will never work again

’Cept as the milk he totes

To skimmin’-station down the road

To sort-o’-make-believe

He’s haulin’ of an honest load

And earnin’ his reprieve.

Sure that was paid for long ago

If twenty faithful years

Can make a critter’s master owe

Return for what he clears

By plow and reaper, laden rack,

And stump-an’-loggin’ bee,

Yet gives the beast-of-burden back

Oft scant humanity.

For when the old sor’l hoss’s jints

Grow stiff with work and age,

There’s many a man with musket pints

His death and keeps his wage;

But not this hoss with sorrel mane

And coat, which every morn

Comes limpin’ up the scrubby lane

And whinners for his corn.