I had an ox, his name was Rock
His partner’s name was Roll
Mostly together
Like one soul

Rock was nigh
And Roll was not
Rock and I were friends
And Roll alone a lot

The day arrived, sorry to say
That Rock and Roll were turned away
Sad as it seemed to me
Made me wonder if it needed be

But I had little time except to dream
About this potent working team
And thus they lolled the days away
And me? I provided the hay

But my days were not without other demands
And I was busy as I worked on the land
With a farm to care for and do it right
Within the limit of physical might

So for their sake
As much as mine
A home was found
That worked out fine

My pattern was to turn them out
At night each day the same old route
And for the grass they both would run
In search of food and always fun

Well on the day before the last
I did the same as in the past
But Rock stayed back
For spots to scratch, there was no lack

And say a word about goodbye
I did the same and turned with a sigh
He followed me up to the gate
That’s when I turned and I saw his eye

Sad and hurt it said to me
A friend so close as he can be
Faithful and true as a beast was he
I felt a hole in my heart and me.

Oh life that twists and turns so
What seems so good sometimes must go
And leave one with a saddened heart
And memories to fill the void, in part

Rod Hewitt