Ponderable Prose and Poets: "Charley Blue"

" Old Charlie Blue "

You've heard of the great racing legends
Seabiscuit, Affirmed and Seattle Slew
But there was yet another
He was called Old Charlie Blue

Born to the Choctaw near Baton Rouge
Every Southerner knew his name
But he had only raced on southern tracks
Charlie had yet to reach true fame

Charlie never made it to the Derby
That dream was never to be
A spill on a dark and rainy day
Tore the ligaments in Charlie's knee

Retired and put out to pasture
The years began to slip by
But Charlie had the heart of a champion
And he longed for one more try

Then one day Charlie jumped a rail
And this horse that was thought to be lame
Bolted onto the race track
Putting several Derby contenders to shame

His owners had him examined
Charlie's leg seemed as good as new
So for reasons of compassion
A final race was granted to Charlie Blue

But as fate would have it
Charlie would face a Champion called Wild Fire
A powerful young stallion
Who dominated all from wire to wire

Word quickly spread through out the south
People now walked , drove and even flew
Just to see the return of their legend
Known as Old Charlie Blue

Odds makers gave Charlie little chance
Yet people came from far and wide
Something deep down had told them
That Old Charlie would not be denied

A mighty cheer was heard for Wild Fire
The unbeaten northern sensation
But as Old Charlie Blue walked onto the track
There came a thunderous ovation

The crowd was on it's feet
As the race began with a burst
And as the experts had all predicted
Wild Fire bolted out first

Wild Fire now set a record breaking pace
While never looking back
Always a slow starter
Charlie was trailing the pack

The experts were now laughing
But Charlie's faithful all knew
They would soon see the fighting spirit
Of Old Charlie Blue

As they rounded the first turn
Old Charlie had now found his groove
And midway through the back stretch
He began to make his move

Where others begin to tire
Old Charlie still had speed to burn
He had moved up to third
As they entered the far turn

Indian war cries now echoed with Rebel yells
Some couldn't believe what they saw
Charlie Blue had closed the gap
As spectators watched with delirious awe

And as they entered the home stretch
It was now all about pride
Wild Fire and Old Charlie Blue
Running neck and neck and side by side

That proud young stallion
He had never before run this fast
But the legendary Old Charlie Blue
Was now reaching deep into his past

Even the track announcer was stunned
Stumbling for the right words to say
As the great Charlie Blue
Began to pull away

Charlie had done the impossible
Something only a true legend could do
The track announcer shouted out
The winner by 6 lengths, Old Charlie Blue

Charlie had shattered the track record
Beating a Derby favorite still in his prime
Then he stepped into the Winner's Circle
For the very last time

Charlie was again retired
Often seen grazing in the shade of trees
Only now did Old Charlie feel at peace
And finally at ease

The great Wild Fire went on to the Derby
Dominating it as all knew he would do
But he would forever remain in the shadow
Of the Legendary Old Charlie Blue !!!!