woefully

i'm the practice horse
and i hold the kids each in turn
upon my saddle shins
my hands they hold
the grasping reins

i cue the secret words
to make me go
"giddyup" makes me start
and "woe" will bring me to
a screeching halt.
a "yee-haw" done with passion
will bring you
a sudden twelve inches
closer to the ceiling.

but they are growing heavy
in my hands
by the second it seems
and i am growing heavy too
and pretty soon
our nightly ride
before the goodbye goodnight
will be "closed for repairs
indefinitely."

the laugh and the scream
i hear it like the
old man i'll be
straining for its sound
long after it's gone.
time like this ride
so fast, and much as they
cry "giddyup" or "yeehaw"
the only word
never stopped for
is "woe."