Nijinksy II

During a brilliant 13-race career this bay son of legendary Canadian stallion Northern Dancer became the first English Triple Crown winner (St. Leger, Two Thousand Guineas, Epsom Derby) in 35 years; set a European earning's record of $677,177; was Europe's Horse of the Year in 1970 and was syndicated for a then world-record $5.4 million, and entered into Racing's Hall of Fame. While I was later to own one of Nijinksy's own sons, and competed with him to a high level, this sonnet was written as an exercise for one of my professors. Who, doubtless, expected something all gushy about some sordid human love affair (as offered up by most of the class, evidently). Little did he know of the soaring love affairs of the heart that a truly elegant thoroughbred race horse might inspire...

For Nijinksy...

Quiet the thunder coiled and trapped within

that never louder England has heard roll

since anthems sang to this ancient Sport of Kings

woke hotly restless in your wilder soul.

You danced a dance your namesake never knew

while blazing truths of eagles filled your eyes;

worshipping speed -- and to that god still true --

urging your name together thousands rise.

Yet he who robs the wind of fame must learn

that other winds will join with blood and run.

That pressed too hard no hero can return

untarnished and commanding of the sun.

So fleet hooves sketch with faintest trace of lines

Brief victories on the shadow's of mens' minds.