The Iron Horses

She came home half a spring before me

To the house of the meadow of Callow.

I was reared in a lesser house

Yet fit, well fit to follow.

John and Jack made the deal

I would serve my time on the land

Surrounding a bigger house

My future was set in soil and sand.

Two score and two years ago

We took our respective places,

I ploughed with a nobler horse

Yet never kicked the traces.

Six summers later the shed got bigger

With concrete slats and galvanise

“We need more horses Mike” said John,

In the month of June I got a rise.

Just like the bible we bought off Kane

And I was fit and Able

To drive the iron horses home

And park them in the stable.

Many horses pulled together

Under a bonnet of steel

And Zetor was the filly’s name

A Czech miracle on wheels.

Thirty five years we’ve ploughed together

Her seat and mine as one.

Every task she was ever asked

Was done in style in rain and sun.

She’s as good as the very first day

We travelled from Edgeworthstown,

Like a good full back on a Forgney team

She’ll never let you down.

Dedicated to Mike Lloyd, one of natures gentlemen.