His fragile frame hoists
Itself up into the saddle.
Tired hands grab the reins.
All but used up legs shift
To the size of the saddle.
"I'll make it."
Was all he said to reassure
Anyone that he could do it.
His hands grip the reins,
Causing the horse to look up.
With the slightest shift
In his weight, the horse moves.
A wide smile on his face as
He pulls to the right.
The horse rears up,
His fragile frame twisting.
A scream as he shifted to one side,
In an instant the horse,
Was without a rider.
His fragile frame lay,
Unmoving on the ground.
A sad smile on his face,
Pulling himself to stand.
"I'll make it."
He started to walk, though
In an instant the ground came
To meet his body head on.
Strong arms picked him up as
A worried face met his.
"Don't worry Dad, I'll get it."
The fragile framed boy pushed
Himself to stand on his own.
A determined look on his face,
His hands tightened as he walked.
The horse whinnied as it pawed
The cracked ground.
The boy nodded to the animal,
Before he shifted his frame.
He wasn't going to give in,
Without a fight.
"I told you, I'll make it."
The horse reared up before coming
At the boy in a dead run.
A scream was heard as the boy,
Jumped and grabbed the saddle.
He was going to make it this time.
His fragile frame moved with easy
This time to sit in the saddle.
The reins flying in the wind as
He grabbed at them.
Soon holding them as he pulled back.
The horse held no choice but to obey.
In a dead run, soon to a dead stop.
The fragile framed boy gave a cry
In surprise as a wide smile was
Once more on his face.
With the control once more
In his hands, he looked back
And waved wildly.
"Come on! One more time!"
Several figures kicked their horses.
With whinnies the horses followed
The fragile framed boy and horse.
The figures on the horses held
Sad, soft smiles on their faces.
They knew this was truly
The last time.
The fragile framed boy
Looked back as a smile
That held no fear was there.
The figures smiled with joy,
But they knew better.
"This will be the last time."
The doctors had told them.
The boy's father
Dropped to his knees as
The boy's friend could
Only shake her head with dread.
They knew it was going to be
The last time they ever saw
That smile again,
That crazy wave, and
The last time they ever
Heard all those
Roger Miller songs.
The boy looked back to them
As he kicked his horse in the sides.
The horse kicked to a gallop,
Causing the figures to follow.
"I'll get there!"
That night as they laid out
Under the stars, he looked to her.
A soft smile on his face as
He reached out and placed a strong hand,
On her shoulder, soon gripping there.
Her eyes cast to his with a sad look.
He only shook his head as he smiled,
Not wanting to see her or him upset.
Soon he squeezed her shoulder,
Rolling over then to sleep.
"Don't worry, I'll be here when you wake."
She nodded as she rolled over
And dreamed a dreamless dream.
All she was worried about was
The fragile framed boy.
Morning broke as she looked to him.
He was still rolled over where
He'd been the night before.
She shook him only to find
That in the night,
He'd passed away.
Tears streamed down her face
As she pulled him close.
His father soon coming,
And finding the despair there.
Tears crawled from his eyes,
As the boy was handed to him.
"I told you not to worry."
They had heard those words,
So many times, and believed them.
Now they had only wished,
They had told him their own.
"This was the last ride."