ON PARADE
Henry was all ready his coat shining so bright.
Hooves polished, his harness sparkled with light,
Standing still as stone before the parade begun,
He hoped that some admiration would be won,
“Mount” came the order then how grand they stood
Beneath a clear sky, the kings cape as red as blood
Flowed over his mount, but Henry was just as proud,
It would be he, Henry, to win the heart of the crowd.
The Hussar’s uniform was grand with a plume on top,
His helmet all a glitter, the rhythm should not stop.
One hand holding the sword, the other touching the rein ,
They received many admiring glaces agin and again.
“Look dad, that’s the ‘orse the one I like the best ,
He is so much bigger and better than all of the rest,
Will the soldier man let me stroke ‘is noble ‘ead?
Maybe we can go to the stable where ‘e is fed.
The hussar gave a slight nod and a wink of his eye,
No one else noticed as they clip-clopped quickly by.
Man and boy followed along to the end of the trail,
And found the kind hussar who was holding a pail.
“Henry is his name, pat him, give him an apple too,
Although he is very big he is gentle right through.
Feel how soft is coat is, how bright are his big eyes,
Me and dear old Henry have won many a special prize.
Soldier and horse stood side by side, smiled at the boy,
I’m on parade next Thursday and it would give me joy
To meet you again, I’ll show you how to brush him well,
Have fun I know you would like that I can truly tell.
But next week never happened for before that day,
War came and Henry’s master had been sent away,
The boy went home sad for his father had left too,
He would lie about his age and also follow through,
(Millicent)Ann Margetson 17 January 2005