Castle By the Sea

There stands a desolate castle on England's venerable shore,
That once sheltered a royal line that ruled its sprawling realm.
Now, according to local lore, eerie things are seen and heard,
In that castle by the sea, in that haunted castle by the sea!

On blustery nights a spectral sentry is seen pacing its towers.
Clad in mail, armed with lance, he's heard to herald the hours.
His disembodied voice is heard e'en o'er the raging storm,
Atop that castle by the sea, atop that haunted castle by the sea!

On stormy nights as thunder crashes and the savage gale shrieks,
Lightning illumes a princess wraith, tears coursing down her cheeks,
As she waves to her handsome prince who goes forth into battle,
In that castle by the sea, in that haunted castle by the sea!

On moonlit nights a phantom hearse drawn by six ebon steeds,
Trailed by ghostly figures intoning haunting dirges is often seen.
As drifting clouds overshadow the moon, it fades from view,
Nigh that castle by the sea, nigh that haunted castle by the sea!

If only those barren, lichen covered walls could only speak,
But, alas, they now stand forlorn, eternally mute and bleak.
The haunting secrets they might reveal are forever buried,
In that castle by the sea, in that haunted castle by the sea!

Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved

Honorable Mention in Debbie Guzzi's "Jack OUT Of The Box" Contest - Jun 2011
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011


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Date: 6/3/2011 8:48:00 AM
climbing the heights of ballad here, robert! happy congrats.:) huggs
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Date: 6/3/2011 5:32:00 AM
My congratulations on the win in the contest of deb, Bob
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Date: 6/3/2011 5:21:00 AM
Congratulations on your win in Debbie's "Jack Out Of Box" contest BOB. Love, Carol
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Date: 6/2/2011 10:43:00 PM
Wow! What a very haunting and also gripping write, Bob-- I can just imagine this one-- really enjoyed reading this -- Super congrats on your win with this ballad :)
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Date: 6/2/2011 5:59:00 PM
A wonderful poem in one of my favorite forms. Congratulations Robert. Love, Joyce
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Date: 6/2/2011 5:13:00 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! For the honorable mention..deserved... ***junjun
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Date: 6/2/2011 3:44:00 PM
Congrats Bob on your HM in Debbie's contest with this wonderful write my friend.. enjoy your special honor with luv..for excellent poetry ..new form.. u did so well..
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Date: 5/25/2011 8:07:00 PM
First-Class entry, my friend. Excellent piece. Good luck. Ralphie
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Date: 5/23/2011 11:35:00 AM
A dark tale, well told. Hope it fares well in the contest! Greetings from one Robert to another!
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Date: 5/21/2011 3:47:00 PM
Wow, Bob, always wanted to see a haunted English castle and now I feel like I have. Awesome images of the ghost and the "phantom hearse." Definitely a poem for my favorites. Hope you take the top spot in Deb's contest! Love, Carolyn
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Date: 5/21/2011 11:25:00 AM
All the best for the contest ! No doubt this is a magnificent piece...kindly grace ur time Robert !
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Date: 5/20/2011 10:16:00 PM
What a terrific suspenseful and intriguing write Bob .. u sure stepped out of the box with this one luv.. good luck with this one.. great descriptions.. I especially like the moonlit night and phantom hearse.. my kinda spooky ...boo..
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