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TESTING TIMES - a Saturday "theme" poem

Those who feel continually stressed

About their fate to be second best

Should heed the tale of young Horace Hurst

Driven by the desire always to be first.

 

Horace, an apprentice, considered his place

Ahead of the rest in any sort of race,

A volunteer through and through

As those about him certainly knew.

 

In truth, when all was said and done

He had a reputation second to none.

So, when his master called him nigh

Saying "I've got something new for you to try"

 

Eager Horace saw it as a feather in his cap -

Always a pushy obliging young chap.

His master added, with a smile benign

"I'd like you to test my latest design"

 

Well, before you could say "lickety-spit"

Young Horace had put himself first for it.

Led like a trusting rat to a trap

Almost immediately he heard a sharp clap.

 

Down he descended, no time even to yell

There was no doubt - the new trap worked well.

His master - the hangman - with a barely suppressed snort,

Murmured "Being first can sometimes be fraught!"

 

But whatever his failings, Horace wasn't a complete dope,

He had wisely decided against testing the rope!

.......................................................................................................

◄ ACCEPTING REALITY

MOVE IT! - a Saturday theme poem ►

Comments

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 2nd Dec 2018 16:40

Don - Boris is in a class of his own. With a name like that, he probably was!!
KJ - the old army adage rings true. Like the old command "One pace
to the front - march". But there can be a positive use for the action -
or many charities would be feeling the pinch.
JC - glad you chose to spend a penny here!
Many thanks - one and all.

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John Coopey

Sun 2nd Dec 2018 08:33

It took a while before the penny dropped for me, MC.

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kJ Walker

Sun 2nd Dec 2018 07:36

"Never volunteer for anything" that's what I was warned when I was in the army.
I enjoyed this one M.C.

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Don Matthews

Sun 2nd Dec 2018 02:02

Not wishing to undercut
The cleverness of Horace
All I can think off
Is self-hanging Boris

Who wasn't as smart
But wanted to be first
The trouble is his ego
It finally burst

But the problem I have
I have no real clue
If what I am saying
Is actually true?

It's just poor old Boris
Did happen to rhyme
With MC's young Horace
Which gave me fun time ?

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M.C. Newberry

Sun 2nd Dec 2018 01:09

As Oscar might have said - Thank you for your excellent judgement!

<Deleted User> (18980)

Sat 1st Dec 2018 16:35

Well M.C. this tale was certainly 'noose' to me.

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Taylor Crowshaw

Sat 1st Dec 2018 15:25

Enjoyed this M.C. ?

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