Saddle (Notevember 2023, #18)

He gazed at the makeshift and bright yellow saddle
And sized up the beast he was destined to straddle
Regretting he ever agreed to this dare
He held on for dear life and mumbled a prayer

The silence was laden with fear and excitement
The sneers of his peers were a searing indictment
For no one had confidence he would succeed
Not even himself, and his stomach agreed

It rumbled and bubbled, it grumbled and boiled
He fumbled, and knew that his plan would be foiled
His thorax grew tight, he was struggling to breathe
And all the while something was stirring beneath

The rules were explained, he was asked “Are you ready?”
A judge said “Good luck” and “Make sure you hold steady!”
The moment had come, he would battle the beast
Attendants drew near – and the tab was released

For half of a moment, the world remained silent
Then, in the next instant, it all became violent
First surging and lurching – he’d certainly tip!
It rolled and it spun – he was done, he would slip!

Now shifting, then shaking, then chaos ensued
But somehow, he stayed where we was, as if glued
And quick as it started, the movement abated
He was worse for the wear, and his stomach vacated

He’d been bounced up and down, he’d been shook side to side
But had held on, despite all, throughout the whole ride
The audience erupted, unanimous cheer
What a hero! What a champion! He had conquered the steer.