Dark Avenger

Endlessly seeking what once was his,
he rides through the night searching pell-mell,
his destiny unknown and undefined.

His ebony horse speeds on two toes,
lathered, panting, fatigue’s sign tell-tale,
controlled by his hard master’s mind.

Grim tormentors in dogged pursuit,
their prophetic mission sent from Hell;
canines hungrily track as assigned.

Spurring his spirited steed forward,
night moaning with the presaging knell,
he cracks his whip made of human spine.

The massive serpentine sword aloft
he seeks to avenge himself – to quell –
severs his victim’s head from behind.

Alas, not his, his plight continues.
Infinite circle, a casted spell
He must break before bursting his confine.

Ceaseless searching to settle the score,
the Headless Horseman arises once more.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2020

Poem

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Kauffman Avatar
October 16, 2020 at 4:26 PM
Disney made a version of this New England legend. Scared the you know what out of me. This is so well done - building the tension with each line, and leaving us with the knowledge this story will be repeated. Congratulations!
Fowler Avatar
October 16, 2020 at 4:32 PM
Glad you recognized and appreciated it Sam :) Thanks for stopping by with such a nice compliment! Linda
Andresen Avatar
October 16, 2020 at 11:15 AM
- Boo ... Linda :) - Congratulations on your Halloween poem :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Fowler Avatar
June 15, 2024 at 7:10 AM
Just saw this comment from ages ago!!! Dear Anne-Lise I want to respond to all comments. So sorry to have missed yours for nearly four years! LOL Thank you my friend. :)
Cunningham Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 7:13 PM
Quite a poe like verse Linda, well written. Congrats on your win Tom
Fowler Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 7:45 PM
Many thanks Tom. Linda
Ranaweera  Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 2:42 PM
Such a scary, well-formed piece!! Congratulations, Linda, on your win!!
Fowler Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 6:41 PM
Hi Newton. Many thanks! Linda
Chamberlain Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 1:56 PM
Whip of human spine, brilliant descriptions, I really enjoyed your poem. :-)
Fowler Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 2:21 PM
Yes Joanna, in the original story, he was a very different creature than the movie version starring Johnny Depp. :)) Many thanks for the read and comments. Linda
Leiser Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 12:22 PM
You paint the spooky scene so well with this poem, Linda. I was fortunate to visit Tarrytown in New York, where Washington Irving lives who penned the Headless Horseman story! Congrats to you! :)
Fowler Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 12:43 PM
Thank you Laura. The HH is a fantastical story, a classic! Thanks for stopping by and for your nice comments. Linda
Callus Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 11:38 AM
This is one of the best entries in this contest, Linda (deserving of a podium finish). Pity line count let you down. Congrats and best regards // paul
Fowler Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 12:45 PM
Thank you Paul. I just start writing and my fingers tell the my story. I guess they don't know how to count ;) LOL! Linda
Fowler Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 12:45 PM
Thank you Carolyn. Linda
Devonshire Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 12:18 PM
Paul is right, Linda. If not for too many lines, this would have been a first-place winner. (I make mistakes often when I read contest instructions.)
Devonshire Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 10:54 AM
Linda, I love your entry, but the poem exceeds the line limit for the contest. That's why you have an HM. Best wishes, Carolyn
Fowler Avatar
October 15, 2020 at 11:07 AM
Thank you Carolyn - I must read instructions more carefully :) Linda
Wolf Avatar
October 7, 2020 at 10:47 AM
Thanks for a little relief from all the 'Happy-Happy' poetry on the Soup. (I'm as guilty as anyone). Ride on, H.H. ~ Darkness, Gloom, and Revenge! :) gw
Fowler Avatar
October 7, 2020 at 11:18 AM
I was a little bored with writing how lovely Fall is ;) LOL Linda
Buhagiar Avatar
October 7, 2020 at 9:08 AM
I left some time ago and you came on the scene. I love dark poems. This one was well composed. ~~
Fowler Avatar
October 7, 2020 at 9:12 AM
Welcome back Victor. Yes, I'm fairly new on the scene, and yes, I can be dark sometimes. ;) Thanks for stopping by and dropping kind words, Linda
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