The Ride

He mounted his horse impatient to ride,
With silver spurs and a heavy stride;
The clatter of hooves on the cobblestone street,
Flew on limbs so swift and fleet.
The moon rose above the copse on the hill,
Casting dark shadows gloomy and still;
The clock chimed twelve in the village square,
As he rode through the land shrouded and bare.
The toll of the bell in the stone church tower,
Rings long and loud at the midnight hour.
The moon rose above the graves on the hill, 
Casting dark shadows dim and still;
Beneath the churchyard lay those who died,
But still he rode with measured stride.
A glimmer of light from the belfry's height,
Pierces the gloom of the cold dark night;
As he leans in the saddle with reigns in hand,
With flying feet he gallops over the land;
Ride up the hill and down in the dale,
His cape flying in the wind like a serpent's tail;
He rode his horse faster and fleet,
With sparks flying out from under his feet;
And people rose from their beds to listen and heed,
Of the footfall of rider and his gallant steed.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2011

Poem

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Bickerstaffe Avatar
June 12, 2012 at 3:14 PM
This reminds me of 'The Highwayman,' a poem by Alfred Noyes who, incidentally, went to the same college I did back in the middle of the twentieth century... but, I digress! '...like a serpent's tail,' '...a glimmer of light from the belfry's height,' ( great inner/end line rhyming!) and so many other marvelous images. BRAVO YOU! Luv, Keith :)
Ball Avatar
July 20, 2011 at 4:34 AM
WoW! Makes me think of the midnight ride of Paul Revere. Great job here. Loved the imagery and the rhythm and rhyme were great. God Bless, JB
Aul Avatar
June 23, 2011 at 11:33 AM
You paint some great pictures with your words........George
Zzzzz Avatar
June 23, 2011 at 6:41 AM
A spellbinding tale! You hold the reader in the palm of your hand with this one! Excellent piece! Love, Robert.
Green Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 7:51 PM
wow, very nice, you drew a great picture, the poem is a masterpiece........
Johnson Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 7:38 PM
Lovely poem babe, tells n flows well too, of the man n the horse cantering through. excellent write, xo, Don
Dailey Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 5:58 PM
I like the story and the story telling. Mike
Devonshire Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 5:22 PM
Ah, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere." So well expressed, Elizabeth. I was getting tired, but your poem's story grabbed my attention and I really enjoyed "The Ride." Awesome, dear. Love, Carolyn
Moriarty Avatar
June 22, 2011 at 4:55 PM
I don't know whether its Paul Revere, or Icabod Crane, but I found myself getting breathless riding with him - great write,Liz - luv, Rich
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