The Time To Get Ready By Amos Russel Wells

“Jockey, little horse-jockey, riding to the race,
Jaunty is your bearing, confident your face,
Beautiful your goodly steed so powerful and fleet–
But what, my little jockey is the matter with his feet?”

The shoes are loose, kind stranger. “Their click it is you hear.
But I myself will fasten them securely, never fear,
Since I have brought my tools along, to tighten every shoe;
For while the horse is racing, I’ll have nothing else to do!”

“Jaunty little horse-jockey, with your silly plan,
You are not more foolish than many a foolish man–
Up into the saddle, off for the race of life.
Expecting to get ready in the middle of the strife.”