Happy Times

So I am not left out of the horsie set I'll take a punt at this. There have been some great yarns lately, may be it is the weather. It has not RAINED properly in Beaudesert, yet I don't want it to rain next week as we are having a workshop on poetry with the master Noel Stallard showing us how it is done see events .James

Happy Times

There was a Tax Collector who worked the western track
The horse he rode was thoroughbred it only looked a hack
His first name was Harry the surname it was Times
Harry had a way with words he used them well in Rhymes

He sought any opportunity so he could tax the dead
He would run his own father in so the rumour said
Each station got a visit or sometimes maybe two
It really all depended on how much he had to do

He came to this big station as the Sun was dropping low
But they told him he could stay the night, tomorrow he must go
They would be up at Rafferty’s and stay a whole week-end
The races were commencing down by the creeks big sandy bend

So Harry said he would join them for he liked a little bet
This changed the way he looked at things he had no regret
Next morning with the stockmen on a long and dusty ride
He shared in conversations and his chest swelled up with pride

Rum had started flowing it was freely passed about
And just to be social Harry said “It’s time I had a shout”
There was roast done to perfection enough for one and all
Soon the betting started you could hear the bookies call

The stockmen named him “Happy” he won on his first bet
A smile lit up his face so much it looked like it was set
Then he had another winner he had got on in the fives
He had brought a ray of sunshine into their lonely lives

The racing was now over and the sun went down to rest
Some sat around the campfire others turned in for a rest
Good yarns were told that night to pass the time along
And many a poem was said and sometimes put to song

In the morning more stockmen came and helped to swell the ranks
Their horses were dry and dusty so they headed to the tanks
A barrel of beer had been organised or was it three or four
They were cooled by a Koolgardie Safe as the heat began to soar

Happy picked a rank outsider as they headed up the track
And he placed his bets real shrewdly never bringing any flack
The horse he picked was a bolter it showed the field the way
Happy’s face was smiling this was a good start to the day

Happy backed a local favourite he laid the bookies odds
They raised a protest when it won they wound up unhappy sods
Again he picked the winners of races four and five and six
He had been round a course or two and was up to all the tricks

That night was filled with music some danced on a sandy floor
A drover sang about other times all cried out for more
The night had swiftly passed away now the day was here
The last day of the races they would be on again next year

Happy had a great day as so did all his new found friends
The bookies had been badly hurt they swore to make amends
So they organised an open race just for working mounts
They did not need a big purse it’s the cup that really counts

They knew Joe the dingo trapper had a swift unbeaten nag
This fact was kept in silence it was like money in the bag
Each horseman made a wager on the horse he loved the best
Happy bet surreptitiously sure his horse would stand the test

The trapper’s horse was skittered when the starter dropped the flag
And he found himself behind the field close to Happy’s nag
Soon things had settled down and these two picked up their stride
This was not a little sprint this was more than a two mile ride

Stride for stride they galloped and they caught up with the bunch
Neither rider altered pace both saved their furlong punch
These horses now are out in front when the finish came in view
It is neck and neck up the straight the win’s between theses two

Then the trapper dug his spurs in, this move was rather brash
For his horse appeared to hesitate then Happy made his dash
And he crossed the line a winner with only six inches to spare
His heart pumping with excitement and love for his old mare

The bookies had to dig real deep to pay Happy all his winnings
He decided he would change his job and seek out new beginnings
People talk about that great race when they yarn around campfires
Then hope that luck will come their way and fill all their desires
©J.J.Hasson Oct. 2006

Australian Bush Poetry, Verse & Music Forum

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