And They’re Off… « Whispers In The Wind

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And They’re Off…

November 23, 2007 by Shirley Allard

One tired old nag takes the lead from the gate
Two skinny young broads try to alter their fate
Three laps ’round the track find her lagging behind
Four years she’s been running to pay for their wine.

Five children at home with no clothes on their back
Six days of the week Mom is out at the track
Seven summers ago life was filled with beginnings
Eight-to-one says that Sunday’s spent spending their winnings.

Nine-to-five never entered their minds for a minute
Ten-to-one is more fun – hooked on thinking they’ll win it.

A Word Catalyst Workshop Challenge

Posted in Poetry | Tagged Challenge, Poetry, Word Catalyst Workshop | 8 Comments

8 Responses to “And They’re Off…”

on November 23, 2007 at 9:48 am1 Bob

Brilliant! You’ve set the bar too high, Shirley. If you’re going to produce work of this quality, you need to wait until the rest of us post something so that we won’t be intimidated! Yikes!
on November 23, 2007 at 9:48 am2 jojanoski

LOL> The first thing I noticed about these broads was how skinny they are. Must come from all that racing to the track. Delightful challenge response. Thanks, Shirley. I haven’t even started mine yet.
on November 23, 2007 at 10:05 am3 Dan

Shirley this is a great piece! Oddly enough I was contemplating addiction this morning as I watched the plumes of smoke from my cigarrette and I swilled down the last of a Mountain Dew.
on November 23, 2007 at 5:19 pm4 Shirley Allard

Thanks guys…

Bob, I have no doubt you will leave me in the dust on this one.

Jo, skinny isn’t the word. They make me feel fat at 120 pounds!

Hi Dan, I know what you mean!

Now, rise to the challenge!
on November 24, 2007 at 12:57 pm5 paisley

this was wonderful… i loved it it sang to me all the way thru!!!!!!
on November 24, 2007 at 1:02 pm6 Shirley Allard

Thanks Jodi…it’s nice to have you back!
on November 27, 2007 at 9:00 am7 ozymandiaz

Shirley, this one truly is awesome. Perfect rhyme and rhythm. The story is superb with a moral to boot. This is one of your best and THAT is saying something.

Hey Oz, thank you my friend. Glad you liked it.
on November 27, 2007 at 10:47 am8 harry furness

Wow, this is a great use of numbers. Math and art… And comedy and reality - what concepts. You’ve captured so much with again that great economy of words. Thanks for this - a fan.