Highwayman

The shadows on the moonlit road
Belonged to ancient trees,
But then I saw a hulking form
That made my marrow freeze.

He stood well over six feet tall,
His face was long and lean,
‘Though dressed in velvet like a lord,
His voice was cold and mean.
 
He aimed his pistols at my breast,
With, ‘Stand and drop your knife.
Deliver all your goods, my friend,
Your money or your life.’

I knew I couldn’t hope to win,
And threw the man my purse;
But then he leapt upon his horse 
And rode off with a curse.

The sounds of riders galloped by,
But none were there, I swear;
I heard a single shot ring out,
Thus adding to my scare.

The highwayman would never rest;
But all was still again;
I prayed, and, chilled by thoughts of ghosts,
Continued down the lane.

 For Joyce's contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2012

Poem

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Anderson-Throop Avatar
November 4, 2012 at 1:46 PM
Romantic and dashing... Errol Flynn could play him! Thanks for a fun read!
Eastman Avatar
September 12, 2012 at 1:27 PM
BRAVO! Wonderful. This was my favorite.
Brown Avatar
September 10, 2012 at 1:32 PM
Congratulations on your well deserved win in the contest of Joyce "My Favorite" Jack. Love, Carol
O'Leary Avatar
September 9, 2012 at 9:07 PM
A really great eerie adventure tale! Congratulations on your win!! Terry
Merryman Avatar
September 8, 2012 at 8:13 PM
A fantastic write, Jack! Congrats on your win with this dramatic piece! Love, Kim
Poet Avatar
September 8, 2012 at 11:58 AM
A captivating write here jack!Congrats on your win!
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
September 8, 2012 at 4:04 AM
Love it Jack, another good creepy one congratulations dear boy xx
A   Avatar
September 7, 2012 at 8:15 PM
Jack, congratulations, in Joyce's favorite contest... good night~ PD
Bauer Avatar
September 7, 2012 at 4:32 PM
great poem, wonderfully rhymed! i love the "made my marrow freeze" line especially.
Johnson Avatar
September 7, 2012 at 3:54 PM
I am so glad to find you among the winners. I was impressed by the rhyme and meter and the story and the last line really got me. Congratulations. Love, Joyce
Ryerson Avatar
September 4, 2012 at 9:39 AM
Loved this Jack...nice and spooky! Good luck in the contest...reads like a winner to me! - Tim
Sweetheart Avatar
September 4, 2012 at 8:21 AM
ok Jack luv Tracie has a new collab contest .. do u want to enter with me? first u must let me know what the writing on her contest says on the colored part as hard for me to focus and read luv .. please get back to me about entering as I did say next collab contest I wanted to do with u ..
Macfarlane Avatar
September 3, 2012 at 2:42 PM
Awesome write Jack....your poem has it all.....anticipation, excitement and trepidation! Hugs
Neels Avatar
September 3, 2012 at 1:24 PM
Not a good idea to read this one at night Jack! ;-) I love this, hope you have an awesome week my friend ;) lfde Wilma
Horsman Avatar
September 3, 2012 at 10:12 AM
wow jack, just love this, wanted it to go on and on, good luck in contest.
Dietrich Avatar
September 3, 2012 at 9:49 AM
wow, I think I have just read the BEST and the scariest of the Halloween tales. VERY well crafted, my friend. Love it.
Sweetheart Avatar
September 2, 2012 at 8:54 AM
vibrant intoxicating lines of mysterious suspense .. this favorite should do very well in Joyce's My Favorite contest luv .. best of good wishes .. hi to Sue too..
A   Avatar
September 1, 2012 at 8:11 PM
Hi Jack, wow... now that reminds me of a shadow, in a movie... Joyce will love the entry.. always~ PD
Culverhouse Avatar
September 1, 2012 at 6:11 PM
good one!! gave me a cill!!
Wellington Avatar
September 1, 2012 at 5:00 PM
Hey jack, I was holding my breath. I felt I was reading a thriller story. Very good, this one. A big win I know. One love. Joy Wells
Kendrick Avatar
September 1, 2012 at 4:22 PM
Great rhyme, rhythm, and flow to this scary work..Some thought had to go in writing it..Thanks for all the comments and for reading all my works..Sara
Ellis Avatar
September 1, 2012 at 2:59 PM
excellent! Good luck with the contest!
Sivey Avatar
September 1, 2012 at 2:18 PM
Ah, yes! A great Halloween poem my friend! I truly love this incredibly scary write that you have so illustriously written! I'm glad to see you enjoy this time of the year(or is it time yet?) as I do(OK, I haven't seen anybody love this time of year as much as I do)! I'm already ready for Halloween and it's not even October yet...my wife won't let me decorate for the season until at least October! It will get here, I'll be ready and waiting for it! Awesome and free flowing write! Great Work!!
Glans Avatar
September 1, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Nice. Loved reading it.
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