Thoroughbred Stallions Just Up The Road

Bach: Christmas Oratorio

The story is told
that when Joe
was a child
his cousins emptied
his Christmas stocking
and replaced the gifts
with horse manure.
Joe took one look
and bolted for the door,
eyes glittering
with excitement.
Wait, Joe,
where are you going?
What did ol' Santa bring you?
According to the story
Joe paused at the door
for a piece of rope.
Brought me
a brand-new pony
but he got away.
I'll catch him if I hurry.
And ever since then

it seemed that Joe
had been accepting
more than his share
of hardship
as good fortune,
and more than
his share of shit
as a sign of Shetland ponies
just around the corner,
thoroughbred stallions
just up the road.
--Ken Kesey
Sometimes a Great Notion



SIX FROM
THAT SPOT BELOW
COLUMBUS POINT