ridecamp@endurance.net: Lexington Helmets

Lexington Helmets

Wendy Milner (wendy@wendy.cnd.hp.com)
Wed, 6 Aug 1997 11:47:56 -0700 (PDT)

I just called Lexington. Their new (as of January this year) policy
is a free check of the helmet and a $30 replacement fee. I told
them that the literature said a free replacement. Nice lady told
me that she'd send mine free, but to spread the word that they are
now charging for replacements. Due to UPS strike, it will be about
a week to get the new helmet.

She also said that the entire office loved my poem.
"What poem," you ask.

Dear Helmet, I hardly knew ya.

You arrived in my life just last Christmas morning,
all bright and shiny and green.
Other gifts were put asides as I tried you on, fitted
you and admired you.
You took your job quite seriously, while all I did was think
you were pretty.

My old helmet was tossed asided, retired to the used equipment pile.
It was only white, frayed around the edges, and not stylish
anymore.
I'd only purchased it because of the discount at endurance rides
for wearing a helmet.
I didn't really need a helmet with such a reliable horse, and
besides, when I fell, I never hit my head.
Now, old helmet, was ignored for the shiny green new one.
Almost forgotten in the dust.

Alas, dear green helmet, I never took you seriously.
You hung on a hook next to the bridle, only thought of before
a ride. Otherwise, ignored.
You collected dust during the day.
And sometimes, I almost rode without you.
But still, you took your job seriously.

And now it is too late to tell you how I feel.
Last weekend will be you last ride.
For now you are off to be recycled.
You protected my thick skull, even the foolish brain inside.

I knew better than to run up that hard packed road.
It twisted and turned along the mountain side.
The trees are tall, hiding what's around the next bend.
And around that one corner were people. You know, the
kind of people that horses like Drake spook at.
He went sidewise and I went straight.
I tried to hang on, but there was no chance.
I slide down his side, hit with a thump and a

CRRRAAAACK

I lay there a minute, counting fingers and toes.
I could see Drake walking away.
I could ask the people to please catch my horse.
But I didn't want to get up just yet.

My riding partner said you were just scratched a bit.
She didn't see the fatal injury inside.
Only when I took you off, did I know you'd never be the
same again.
The little stones imbedded in the back were only cosmetic.
But there was that long crack from top to bottom in the back
that spelled your fate.
You'd never protect my head again.
You took your job more seriously than I did.

So now, dear helmet, I send you away.
Your insides will go to recycling.
Perhaps your shell will come back restuffed.
I promise I'll give you more respect next time.
For now, I'll dust off the old helmet, not so pretty,
not so stylish, but still good protection for this thick skull
that encases a foolish brain.

Good bye faithful helmet.

--
Wendy


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  Wendy Milner                     HPDesk:   wendy_milner@hp4000
  Hewlett-Packard Company          e-mail:   wendy@fc.hp.com
  Mail Stop A2                     Telnet:   229-2182
  3404 E. Harmony Rd.              AT&T:     (970) 229-2182
  Fort Collins, CO, 80525          FAX:      (970) 229-2038

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