How we loved them. br In an otherwise grey world br These blinkered, patient creatures br Gave us such delight as br Massive, sinewy strong, they pulled the carts br Piled high with metal parts br Over the cobbled streets br To the docks and back. br br Gentle giants, with gleaming coats br Friendly, allowing us to stroke them and call their names. br These huge horses trudging along br Proud, strong workers. br br Once each year-the annual fair- br They came in procession, br Bedecked in leather, silver and brass. br Garlands and roses entwined in their hair. br Like the war-horses of old br They stood stately and proud br Caparaisoned in all their finery, br Heads high, knightly in bearing, br Magnificent to behold. br br One day they were gone. br The shipyards closed- br Orders gone to Japan. br They had become 'economically unviable', br An anachronism in our brave new post-war world. br But we children missed them; br They'd been our friends. br And when our eyes met theirs br We had understood each other.