Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Christmas at Watermark Farm

By popular request, here is Argus' 2008 Christmas poem.
Merry Christmas to all!

~Katie


'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT WATERMARK FARM

'TWAS the night before Christmas
And all through the barn
Not a creature was stirring
Anywhere on the farm

The stockings were hung
On the stall doors with care
In hopes that Saint Nicholas
Soon would be there

The horses were all snuggled
Into straw-banked beds
While visions of sweet feed
Danced in their heads

And Argus was in his blanket
Chubby Half Pint going bare
Both hoping and wishing
Santa soon would be there

When out in the arena
There arose such a clatter!
They leapt into their paddocks
To see what was the matter!

The moon on the puddles
In the wet winter pasture
Made the night light so blinding
They breathed faster and faster!

When what to their
Brown horsey eyes should appear
But a jolly red sleigh
And eight hungry reindeer

In the driver's seat sat Santa
All dressed up in red
And he winked at the horses
As they spied from their beds

Then something odd happened
The horses grew brave
And Santa addressed them
Which made them quite grave:

"Now Argus! Now Half Pint!
Now Odie and Angel!
Now Ginger and Caleb!
And Ridge in the stable!"

"To your herd mates be kind
And don't waste your hay!
Take care of your riders
And love each new day!"

As dry shavings that before
The wild hurricane fly
When they meet with the winds
Mount to the sky

And suddenly the horses
Who before felt quite shy
Felt themselves flying around
With Santa in the sky!

So around the farm
The horses they flew
They looked down on the home
They loved and they knew

And then, on the house top
They thumped on the roof
And the family inside
Heard the pounding of hooves

"What's that?" they shouted
As they woke from their beds
"We thought we heard horses
Loose overhead!"

So out to the stables
The family they ran
Where they found it quite empty
Save for the horse goat, An'

They peered at the sky
For a sign of the equines
And for a moment, saw Santa
Riding Argus just fine

Then suddenly, and quietly
The horses were there
Munching hay and looking sleepy
As if they had no cares

So the lights were extinguished
The excitement went "poof"
And the family missed Santa
Spying down from the roof

To each horse, he gave a gift
And when he got to the last
It was Argus, the white one
He'd seen on many a Christmas past

"You're a good horse, dear Argus"
Santa said with a tear,
You have suffered so long
So many a year"

"I promise you will always
Have a loving, peaceful life
With pastures and buddies
An end of all strife"

Argus thought quietly
About all the nights
And the bleak Christmases of waiting
For the arrival of light

This, his second Christmas
Of freedom and cheer
He'd been a real horse, a free horse
For more than a year

Santa sprang to his sleigh
To his team gave a whistle
And winking once more at Argus
He flew away like a missile

The horses heard him exclaim
As he drove out of sight
"Merry Christmas, dear Argus!
And to all --- a good night!"

13 comments:

excaliber813 said...

Love, Love, Love It!!!
Thank you Katie!

Merry Christmas to all @ Watermark Farm!
May the coming year bring you all peace and good fortune.

Hugs to all,
Doe

Grey Horse Matters said...

Just wonderful. Merry Christmas to all, especially Argus. He's a special boy and you're a wonderful person. May you have a new year blessed with health and happiness on your farm.

Holly said...

*sniff*

it's as good this year as last!

Anonymous said...

Kate you always bring tears to my eyes.
Merry Christmas to you and the gang at Watermark from all of us here at Full Circle.

phaedra96 said...

That is a beautiful poem and how true for dear Argus. Take care of him for all of us who love him. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Dr. Jenn said...

Love it!

LuvMyTBs said...

I believe there is always a bright light around Watermark Farm. Argus followed that light and it led him to you like it led the shepherds to the manger on that most holy of nights long long ago

God bless all at Watermark Farm.May you all have a joyous holiday.Please give extra scratches to Argus and Ridge for me.

Joy said...

very teary eyed making this one. Hugs to Argus and to you for saving this special one. I'm so very happy for him.

Janne said...

You brought tears to my eyes, you are a very special person. Thank you for rescuing Argus, he is beautiful.

Julie said...

love that poem!

Enjoyed visiting your blog!
Julie
www.ridingaside.blogspot.com

Yankecwgrl said...

I hope you come back to your blog soon! You have an award waiting for you at my blog!

http://texasofallplaces.blogspot.com/2010/02/thanks-jen.html

kbryan said...

Oh, Katieeeeeeee, how are you, your family, and the critters doing? We'd love an update on how everyone is, and if you need anything. You are overdue for an update. . . and we worry.

Take care, and we hope you have time to give us an update soon.

K.

kbryan said...

How is everyone doing? Hope you are all having a lovely spring?

Please give us an update soon. Thank you.