I Hung Up My Bridle Today
by Kris Garrett
Yesterday, for the first time, I was too tired to ride
Yesterday, for the first time, I was afraid I would be hurt if I was thrown
Yesterday, for the first time, I realized I was old
Yesterday, for the first time, I had to face that I could no longer keep up
Yesterday, for the first time, I felt my heart break
Yesterday, for the first time, I turned my back on my friend
Yesterday, for the first time, I knew I was done
Today, for the last time, I felt warm, braided leather in my hands.
Today, for the last time, I released the buckles on the girth and watched my girl sigh
Today, for the last time, I slowly dropped the bit so it wouldn’t hit her teeth
Today, for the last time, I buried my head in her soft, warm neck
Today, for the last time, I tracked hay and horse hair into my house
Today, for the first time, I cried after my ride
Today, for the first time, I felt my hands shake as I set the saddle on its rack
Today, for the first time, I hugged my young trainer a final goodbye
Today, for the first time, I waited for the new owner’s trailer to arrive
Today, for the first time, I did not hear nickering when I opened my back door
Today, for the first time, I felt worse leaving the barn that I did when I entered
Today, for the first time, I had no one to check on before going to bed.
Tomorrow, for the first time, I can stay in bed longer
Tomorrow, for the first time, I won’t be able to fly on four legs
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will regret letting her go
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will be angry at myself
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will cry the day away
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will be glad to die
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will know I was wrong
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will defy all the opinions
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will ignore my old bones
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will bring my friend home
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will be reborn
For the rest of my life, I will have a horse in my yard
For the rest of my life, I will ignore the well-meaning advice
For the rest of my life, I will bury my face in her soft neck
For the rest of my life, I will let my soul fly
For the rest of my life, I will never be alone
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