"FILOMENA: THE GIRL WHO LOVED HORSES"
FILOMENA: THE GIRL WHO LOVED HORSES
(THE REST OF THE STORY)
(A Bedtime/Naptime/Anytime Penny-candy Rhyme for “Children†of All Ages)
By
Phyllis (Filomena) Minnitte-Bilbo
Long ago,
In days of yore,
Lived Filomena,
Brothers five, and
Sisters four.
'Neath star-spangled sky
And canopy blue,
Mama and Papa
Lived with them, too.
Surrounded by mountains
That reached to the sky,
Their town of Spring Glen
In the valley did lie.
There,
Chickens and cats
And creatures galore
All lived together,
Alone and by score.
To be sure,
All the creatures,
Filomena did love,
She loved them all dearly
As cold hand loves glove.
Though Filomena loved
Each one of them true,
Still, 'Twas HORSES
She sought to give her heart to.
Faith,
'Twas her love of horses
That started it all;
Unrequited love,
The cause of her fall.
Thus,
It happened one day
Filomena did hear
The clip-clop of hoof beats
Resound in not one,
but both ears!
Upon hearing the sounds of
Those hooves on the street,
Filomena determined
Their owners she’d meet.
Then, quicker than lightning
She made for the door,
With reckless abandon,
OUTSIDE SHE TORE!
Alas,
She arrived on the scene
As they'd clip-clopped on by;
Now, catch them she must, or
At least she must try.
Yet,
Try as she would,
The best she could do
Was to lunge for their wagon and
HANG-ON, thereto!
'Twas fun, to be sure,
From that tailgate to cling;
Yet, trying to board it proved
The more challenging thing.
Ere long,
A car from behind
Filomena did hear;
Out-run it she must,
BUT
THE CAR WAS TOO NEAR!
With a sickening thud,
“Phyl†fell to the ground,
While the world around her
Spun 'round and around.
The driver alarmed
By the deed he had done
Fast abandoned his car,
To Phyl he did run.
Relieved to discover
The babe was alive,
He plucked her up quickly,
Then homeward they hied.
At last,
Phyl's mother arouséd he there,
Where she’d sat
Hummin’, ’n’ sewin’,
In her favorite chair.
Oh, what a sight it was to behold,
Filomena,
Her cuts, scratches, and bruises―
Her mama, white cold!
Taking matters in hand,
Phyl's bruises Ma tended;
Though well did she know
’Twould take time
Ere Phyl mended.
Still,
As might be expected,
Ma then ’n’ there freed
The guiltless driver of his guilt, then
Hied she back to “Mena's†needs.
Meanwhile,
As evening ‘gan to quicken
And family gathered round,
Filomena, head, arms, legs all bandaged,
Gave forth with woeful sounds.
Alas,
Life in the glen, at one time serene,
Had suddenly acquired a dispiriting sheen!
Indeed,
Father waxed angry with both
“Mena†and Mother,
No better fared they, though,
With either sisters or brothers.
Though Mama hadn't chided,
Pa and siblings weren't so kind,
For they, in no uncertain terms, to
Phyl (and Ma) expressed their minds.
Yet,
As might be expected,
“Time healed all woundsâ€;
Ere long, they all sang
Not only more, but
Merrier tunes.
And, yes,
The day finally came
When Filomena, once more,
Upon hearing those hoof beats,
MADE STRAIGHT FOR THE DOOR!
Had Filomena learned her lesson,
Once and for all?
Granted,
Though she dashed out the door,
Did not she stall
At the “curb,†after-all?
Looking out from her window,
Ma gave an approvin’ nod and a smile;
Yes,
The lesson, though painful,
Had all been worth while.
Is not the moral of this story, then,
(If indeed there can be one)
That
Chasin’ horses down the street
Can lead to HARMLESS (?) fun?
(Not hardly!)
Even so,
‘Twasn’t long
(sixty, plus or minus, years hence),
Ere the time did arrive
When I, Filomena, got MY wish—
NOT ONE HORSE, BUT FIVE!!!!!
Atiyah, Candy, Cazzena, C.J., and Ben
To treasure,
Along with Fancy, Silver, and Sen,
For the best of good measures!~!~!
THE END
