Thursday, June 28, 2012

Secretariat, A Poem




Secretariat

Red roses -
Speak of a heart, large,
of a race run, not of consciousness
but of style, explosive.

Black-eyed Susans -
A ticket, cherished, preserved,
for Pegasus finally appeared
and God whispered "Go".

White Carnations -
Like a locomotive, no limits,
out front, Big Chestnut!
Circle the field...

Heroes live forever.

by Margaret Bednar, Art Happens 365, June 28, 2012

Secretariat as a baby in the fall of 1970 at the Meadow Stable 
in Doswell, VA  - courtesy of Google Images
I'm not a huge race horse fan.  I remember as a little girl worrying about the horses falling and breaking a leg.  But this big boy's story amazes me and inspires me.  I loved the Hollywood movie, and perhaps it wasn't factual, but it was inspiringly beautiful.  I highly recommend it.

One of the last videos of Secretariat in the pasture:

  

My favorite photo to date is below.  It is of Secretariat with his groom, Eddie Sweat.   The website and article I got this photo from is HERE.


9 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

i like the line 'and God whispered go' :)

G-Man said...

Margaret Bednar...
I thought about you last week-end whilst I was driving over Big Mac!
I remember watching the Belmont for his Triple Crown victory, and to this day it's the GREATEST Sporting event that I had or ever will see.
I miss you and all the 55ers, I can't wait for Friday 13th
Thanks for your kind words and thoughts...G

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I love "heroes live forever". Loved the movie too. My sister is a huge horse lover....and was so excited watching I'll Have Another in its two breakout races a few weeks back...so sad its leg was inflamed before the third race. Three wins in a row would have been something. I always worry about the horses, too - their hearts, their legs..............they run so hard. But it is beautiful to see, I must admit.

Kerry O'Connor said...

Your love of horses shines through this post, start to finish.

izzy said...

Oh that made me cry ! So sad when we
lose a great horse like that- so neat they allowed this fellow in with his family! thanks for posting this.

Anonymous said...

he was def a horse with heart - love

"Pegasus finally appeared
and God whispered "Go"...

PattiKen said...

I love this. I know I am probably being romantic, but I sense such heart in these magnificent animals who run around a track just because their human asks them to. Thanks for posting the wonderful photo of Secretariat and his groom.

Ginnie Hart said...

But of course you'd write about Secretariat! DUH!

Helen said...

It is such a blessing to see you bring back a wonderful poem from the archives. So beautifully composed.