Ode to a Jack, My Father

With ears so long

And bray so strong 

And hooves like solid rock,

You were so mighty,

Never flighty,

Always taking stock.

You never flinched

when harnessed, cinched,

You carried men or towed them.

You hauled their loads

Down dusty roads

And with a bray, you told them:

"I'll pull for you, 

I'll pack for you,

I'll cheer you when you're troubled.

I'll ease your work

With ears aperk

I'll do it on the double."

Your son—that's me—

Would like to see,

would like to nuzzle you—

We never met

but I would bet

That you would like me too.

I can't have come

From anyone

Unsavory, unhandsome . . . 

In fact, dear Jack,

I'd wager that

You'd fetch a pretty ransom.

As sire you have proved your worth

The humans chose you well

And when they placed you with a mare

Then only time would tell

But your genes passed along to me 

and mingled in with hers

To form a creature you would like,

With ears not unlike yours. 

Thank you dad,

From your wee lad,

From your own small brown mule.

You gave me life—

A Brayful life!

So ears, dear jack, to you.

Happy Fathers' Day.

Love, 

Fenway Bartholomule