ALL is over! fleet career, <br /> Dash of greyhound slipping thongs, <br />Flight of falcon, bound of deer, <br />Mad hoof-thunder in our rear, <br /> Cold air rushing up our lungs, <br /> Din of many tongues. <br /> <br />Once again, one struggle good, <br /> One vain effort;—he must dwell <br />Near the shifted post, that stood <br />Where the splinters of the wood, <br /> Lying in the torn tracks, tell <br /> How he struck and fell. <br /> <br />Crest where cold drops beaded cling, <br /> Small ear drooping, nostril full, <br />Glazing to a scarlet ring, <br />Flanks and haunches quivering, <br /> Sinews stiffening, void and null, <br /> Dumb eyes sorrowful. <br /> <br />Satin coat that seems to shine <br /> Duller now, black braided tress <br />That a softer hand than mine <br />Far away was wont to twine, <br /> That in meadows far from this <br /> Softer lips might kiss. <br /> <br />All is over! this is death, <br /> And I stand to watch thee die, <br />Brave old horse! with bated breath <br />Hardly drawn through tight-clenched teeth, <br /> Lip indented deep, but eye <br /> Only dull and dry. <br /> <br />Musing on the husk and chaff <br /> Gathered where life’s tares are sown, <br />Thus I speak, and force a laugh, <br />That is half a sneer and half <br /> An involuntary groan, <br /> In a stifled tone— <br /> <br />‘Rest, old friend! thy day, though rife <br /> With its toil, hath ended soon; <br />We have had our share of strife, <br />Tumblers in the masque of life, <br /> In the pantomime of noon <br /> Clown and pantaloon. <br /> <br />‘With a flash that ends thy pain, <br /> Respite and oblivion blest <br />Come to greet thee. I in vain <br />Fall: I rise to fall again: <br /> Thou hast fallen to thy rest— <br /> And thy fall is best<br /><br />Adam Lindsay Gordon<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-last-leap/
