Thursday

Farewell to a Friend

Posted for a variety of prompts:

Camera Critters (photo/s)

Easy Street Prompts (“busy vagabond”)

Inspire Me Thursday (“coffee break”)

Meme Express (St. Augustine quote/s - below)

Read – Write – Poem (“fear”)

Scenic Sunday (photo/s)

Simply Snickers (“balance,” “bold” and “bright”)

Three Word Wednesday (“blush,” “quiver” and “tenderness”)

Totally Optional Prompts (“expectations”)

Thursday Challenge (“sound”)

Weekend Snapshot (photo/s)

Wordless Wednesday – Everyday (photo/s)

Writer’s Island (“champion”)


Photo c2008 by Nickers and Ink


Marcel Marceau (Attache x Circus Wonder) was a champion Saddlebred showhorse and beloved equine friend. Named for the famous French mime, who wore similar facial markings, he competed successfully in English, driving and sidesaddle equitation. Marcel Marceau was a trooper on the trails.


Marcel Marceau died from colic-related illness on November 12, 2008. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. Fond memories of The Clownface will live on in many horse-loving hearts.


“Seek not to understand that you may believe,

but believe that you may understand.”

St. Augustine


The clown-faced administrator in the field,

A camera’s delight for a lady well-heeled –

So proudly he’d prance in his Saddlebred way,

Parading pure attitude on full display.


Though gelded, his manhood he ever maintained.

When pretty mares passed, he could ne’er be restrained.

He’d balance and park for his lady to climb

Then blush for a filly, this sixteen-hand mime.


Beyond expectations, the top of his class,

His pedigree royal, his color bold brass.

This true busy vagabond, sturdy and sound,

Tossed fear to the four winds, while trotting around.


His fair lady’s temperament, he revived.

He’d quiver with tenderness as she arrived.

She’d offer him carrots and cookies homemade

And trim his silk mane with her tears and with braid.


Her forehead he’d kiss, as a horse only can,

Affection unearned, unlike offered by man.

His bare back he offered for spirited walks

Way more therapeutic than coffee break talks.


Unbridled devotion for those he adored

Diminished his years and declared him restored.

This champion stepper each day was reborn;

His flame, it burned brightly till his final morn.


Love poetry? Check out Simply Snickers, a brand-new weekly poetry prompt. Try your hand with weekly prompts! Or, look into The Meme Express for daily blogging prompts.


Click here to visit Linda Ann Nickerson’s poetry and humor blog, Nickers and Ink.


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20 comments:

  1. So sorry for your loss. These photos are so neat. We have a small farm but no horses. Maybe if I knew more about them . . . They are beautiful!

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  2. Your love and affection are captured so poignantly in this poem.

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  3. A glorious horse and a lovely tribute! Sorry that he's no longer here...

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  4. Ahhh, he was so lucky to have your love! I'm so very sorry for the loss of your great friend and fur baby! I'm sure he is enjoying himself free of sickness in Rainbow Bridge! Peace to you...

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  5. What a beautiful farewell to a beautiful animal...

    ...so sorry. ;-(

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  6. A well worded epitaph!

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  7. Thank you from deep in my heart for the lovely tribute to my Clownface. There will never ever be another one like him. He was a proud and dignified gentleman. I keep saying over and over that I can't believe he's gone. Almost from the start we were like an old married couple. I was and always will be so proud of him.
    Most of his life was spent as a show horse -contained, maintained, conditioned. I strived to give him a different life - one of green pastures, a lolling routine. A routine that was only occassionally broken for a short ride or on the road excursion. In his former life he was a showpiece, an object to adnire, something to place your own inferences on. In the end he was a horse, going about a horsey life.
    I never had a Velveteen Rabbit, instead I had the Velveteen Horse, his story ends with him becoming real.

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  8. blinking tears away as I type this... what a wonderful tribute to a horse that obviously meant a lot to you. Thank you for sharing.

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  9. A regular beauty your Marcel. I feel the loss in every syllable. I don't know form horses, but I've lost enough dogs to know you never get over it no matter how many times you go through it.

    Godspeed Marcel.

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  10. Your poetic tribute to a very special horse is beautiful. It is very touching and sweet. My daughter is an equestrian and would know exactly how it feels to be so close to a horse, emotionally as well as physically. You come up with such perfectly rhyming poems, and so meaningful, as well. I just don't know how you do it! Jan

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  11. What a beautiful poem in honor of the loss of your beloved horse. I am glad you had such a lovely animal in your life for the time that you did. Hope you are comforted by all your good memories together. And I am sure your horse loved you for you, so I hope you can keep being you. Love your poetry. Keep taking good care. Sincerely, Connie

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  12. what a beautiful tribute to such a beautiful creature... i am truly sorry for your loss.

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  13. I'm heartbroken. I was Marcel's person a long time ago. He came along right when I needed him and he always took such good care of me. He was so kind, gentle and loving...the perfect companion and the most wonderful caretaker for an unsure little girl. I am so very sorry for your loss and please know that my heart is breaking right along with yours. This is truly a loss for anyone who had the privledge of knowing him...I'm so glad that he spent his last years being spoiled and loved...it was exactly what he deserved.

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  14. So sorry for your loss! Beautiful pictures and peom and a great tribute.

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  15. I was so very sorry to hear the news. The barn aisle will not be the same without him. He was definitely a unique individual and my heart goes out to you.

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  16. pam,
    i was so sorry to hear of your loss. what a wonderful tribute.
    margaret

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