First Tuesday In November Poem by Ivan Donn Carswell

it isn’t subtle but then
we’re used to it although
the past month seems
to have been more equine
than influenza alone contends

it is a virus spread in a
series of controlled releases
gauged to culminate
on the first Tuesday
in November which is today

the fever hasn’t gripped
me and my punt is clenched
fists kept in pockets
resistant to cues saying
Alcopop will win easy

but commonsense explains
a horse trained by
a Cummings has better
chances – there are
four of them!
© 3 November 2009, I. D. Carswell

for the uninitiated the Melbourne Cup
is being run this afternoon