"What If A Horse Took A Knee?", poetry about Kentucky Derby 146.

What If A Horse Took A Knee

An original poem by Chrome Dome Mike Kimbro

Consider reading along to my Spoken Verse Performance.

VERSE 1

One day each year, the South End gets it's due,

When something very special takes place.

A sporting event we all look forward to:

The Kentucky Derby thoroughbred race.

VERSE 2

A celebration of the Spring Season,

Featuring plant life which is blossoming.

But one year was different, and here's the reason:

COVID made our enjoyment less promising.

VERSE 3

Yeah, the threat of protest hung over the day,

Because the justice system took too long.

But I was expecting an equine display,

During The Bluegrass State's offical song.

CHORUS

What if a horse took a knee,

In late Summer of 2020?

Disturbing human revelry,

With a little 'Good Devilry'.

At that moment in history,

America needed an epiphany.

What if a horse took a knee,

During "My Old Kentucky Home"?

It's time for the bridge...

BRIDGE

Imagine that a Centaur was allowed,

To run the Derby. Before the race had begun,

He was down on one knee, with his head bowed.

When the song stopped, he took the holeshot, then won.

Only one creature accelerates that fast:

The mythological Centaur Unicorn.

Though he frolicked away the lead he'd amassed,

The stewards ruled that he won by a horn.

Meanwhile, back at Churchill Downs...

VERSE 4

As we celebrated the young and the fleet,

On the first Saturday of September.

It wouldn't have mattered how bad he got beat.

Because the gesture is all we'd remember.

VERSE 5

The chance to be iconic came and went.

Guess the owners felt they couldn't risk it.

Is 'not making a difference' what they lament,

Or failure to own the next Seabiscuit?

VERSE 6

Two horses' actions were more than suggestive.

Yeah, they showed no interest in peaceful dissent.

Resisting "the man" with actions quite expressive.

Reminding us what "poetic justice" meant.

VERSE 7

I'm asked by players of the horse racing game:

"Are there hints of descent you could furnish us?"

As you study the program, focus on the names,

For Kneely Dan or Callin' Copernicus.

VERSE 8

We humans were quite wrong in assuming,

That statement was about George and Breonna.

Because one track clearly needed attuning,

He knelt for the fallen of Santa Anita.

CHORUS

What if a horse took a knee,

In late Summer of 2020?

Disturbing human revelry,

With a little 'Good Devilry'.

At that moment in history,

America needed an epiphany.

What if a horse took a knee,

During "My Old Kentucky Home"?

The End