The Phantom Horse

A phantom horse came galloping 
beneath a silver moon
across a field of recent war 
where corpses’ bones lay strewn.

With thunder in his hoof beats,
again and then again,
he raced along a river which,
like blood, ran through that plain.

Though frightful he appeared to be
on land that reeked demise,
a sole intent gleamed strongly
in his sad and ghostly eyes.

Then finally, as dawn began
to paint the broad stretch red,
the unrelenting stallion stopped
and seemed to bow his head.

He briefly knelt, then stood upright
and bore away, with speed,
the spirit of the knight for whom
he’d been a trusty steed!

2014 post for Angela Tune's A Ghost Story Poetry Contest
Submitted Oct. 13, 2022 
for Mark Toney's  2022 Poetry Marathon Mile 17 Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014


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Date: 1/14/2022 7:42:00 AM
Great write, Andrea, congratulations on your win. Hugs and hope you have a blessed year my friend.
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Date: 1/14/2022 12:15:00 AM
An excellent poem and a wonderful win, Andrea:) congratulations:)
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Date: 1/14/2022 12:12:00 AM
Andrea, this is a fabulous poem! It is so well written we can see the horse galloping about his ethereal work! we can even hear the galloping hoofs! Brilliant!
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Date: 1/13/2022 12:50:00 PM
Love this tale, though sad! Congratulations on top win!
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Date: 1/13/2022 12:04:00 PM
I always loved this poem Andrea. Congratulations on having it honored with the trophy win! A Fave. xxoo There is a beautiful poem called “War Horse” you may enjoy reading at: https://www.horseandman.com/horse-stories/poem-for-a-war-horse/01/12/2021/
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Date: 1/13/2022 10:52:00 AM
Marvellous tale and spot on rhyme. A well deserved first place, Andrea. Congratulations. Terry
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Date: 1/13/2022 9:34:00 AM
I love it--it's wonderful, Andrea. Sad and stately at the same time. I love that you made his horse a hero--it touched my heart :)
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Date: 1/13/2022 7:19:00 AM
Poignant, poetic and a perfect win! Congratulations!
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Date: 1/13/2022 7:08:00 AM
Such great! You are an all rounder of topics. Congratulations!
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Date: 5/25/2019 6:15:00 PM
Awesome rhythm, Andrea. Congrats on your well deserved win.
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Date: 5/25/2019 5:21:00 PM
I enjoyed the mysterious, phantom-like feeling through your words and rhythm, Andrea! Congratulations on your fine placement. Hugs, Sandra
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Date: 5/24/2019 7:34:00 PM
This sounds familiar Andrea. Reminds me of that movie about warhorse that was so wonderful. Congratulations on your win. I am glad to be on this shortlist with you . By the way, I have actually seen the touch lights on the mountain side where no roads lead to. It is spooky. xxoo : )
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Date: 5/24/2019 6:58:00 AM
My heartfelt thanks with no end, for your participation Andrea, CHEERS indeed for your placement in the Epic Ethereal Editor Contest, Aloha William Kekaula
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Date: 9/9/2016 9:09:00 AM
Andrea, you never cease to amaze me, congrats on your placement! :)-luloo
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Date: 9/9/2016 12:05:00 AM
Andrea, every time I read a poem of yours, I fall in love with it. Your poems are so deep & meaningful. You are a terribly good Poet. My best regards. Afzal :~)
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Date: 9/8/2016 6:23:00 PM
Awesome concept, and beautifully written. Congratulations on the win. -G
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Date: 9/8/2016 12:33:00 PM
Andrea, Congratulations on your win in SKAT'S "Premiere Contest number 9" It was my pleasure judging this one for my sister. Stop by and enjoy your win on Skat's Blog "BLACKBIRDS." with lots of love LINDA (For: SKAT)
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Date: 7/29/2014 1:56:00 PM
Andrea, A nice winning Quatrain. I don't know the form, however --Well done... Always ~LINDA
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Date: 7/28/2014 8:39:00 PM
Beautiful write my friend! Congrats on your win!!
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Date: 7/28/2014 11:50:00 AM
Beautiful tribute to a magnificent animal, dear Andrea.. Congrats on a great win.. Hugs.. Arlene
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Date: 7/28/2014 10:46:00 AM
This made me think of the movie War Horse. A well told tale Andrea, congrats on your win.
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Date: 7/28/2014 9:11:00 AM
Very lovely exclusive write Andrea! Loved much,, congrats on win!
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Date: 7/28/2014 8:08:00 AM
wonderful poem, Andrea. Maybe, the rhyme slipped away in the nice flow, it otherwise made. Congrats, Mohan
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Date: 7/28/2014 1:33:00 AM
Enjoyed the haunting of the ghost, Andrea. Congrats. How is it that you missed rhyme scheme? Can't believe it
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Date: 7/27/2014 9:38:00 PM
Wonderful work, Andrea! I really loved this haunting, ghost story!.... However, it was missing the ABAB rhyme scheme that I was looking for, so I could only give this an Honorable Mention. Congrats on your win! Your poem deserves a much higher place, though! :)
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