Suzanne Delaney Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

When I lived on a farm in the Dooralong Valley,  a nearby racing stable would exercise their horses before dawn.  I never saw them but their hoof prints were always visible in the soft loamy soil on the country road so my imagination ran with the idea of mysterious hoofprints and my unicorn poem was inspired.

The poem scenario and story is entirely imaginary and I was thrilled to win 1st Prize in the Gold Coast Writers Competitin in 2003 with the theme 'Miracles.'

Unicorn Hoofprints

One morning I awoke to find
 in  soft garden shadows
 mythical, unicorn, hoof prints 

How I imagined its perfect form; 
a magical horse with a spiraled horn
 stepping through a pink mist
 into my garden at dawn 

I decide I will hide
 where the first light
 slants through the trees
 my heart all aflutter, 
 waiting to see this miracle.
 

A rustle of leaves- 
I hold my breath - 
ready to face
 the impossible

Oh! Disbelief!  What do I see?
But two horse shoes attached to sticks
 and father planting mythical hoof prints 


Quiet as a fae I steal away
and later with wonder, I softly say 

"A unicorn has strayed, Pa Pa-
into our garden today."

Written in  June 2003

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Line Gauthier June 4, 2021 at 8:57 PM Ah ~ so sweet

Mahtab Bangalee January 18, 2021 at 10:32 PM stupendous poem penned - just love it

Line Gauthier July 21, 2018 at 9:04 AM Of course this was a prize winner. An awesome story of both fantasy and love. Beautiful, SuZ.

Joseph May January 28, 2016 at 10:35 PM An enchanting write...enjoyed Suzanne Delaney January 29, 2016 at 2:04 AM Thanks Joseph: I appreciate your visit. SuZ

Daver Austin July 28, 2015 at 11:23 AM I love children in verse. The last two lines are precious. Congrats on the selection. Love, daver Suzanne Delaney July 28, 2015 at 4:38 PM Thanks Daver: So good to hear from you. SuZ

Connie Marcum Wong July 27, 2015 at 11:02 PM Congrats on you win and on having this lovely poem featured Suz!

Poet Destroyer A July 27, 2015 at 10:11 PM Suzanne, congrats on your best poem. Love LINDA

Andrea Dietrich July 24, 2015 at 9:19 PM that was a beautiful little story about a father and daughter!! Congrats, I really enjoyed this.

Skat A July 24, 2015 at 4:32 PM Suzanne, Congratulations **SKAT** Suzanne Delaney July 24, 2015 at 5:19 PM Thankyou Skat: Your visits are always welcome, SuZ

Jan Allison July 24, 2015 at 1:42 PM what a wonderful fantasy write Suzanna - a child's vivd imagination is so so wonderful and you portrayed this so well - congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx Suzanne Delaney July 24, 2015 at 5:21 PM Thanks Jan: Happy you enjoyed this little moment. SuZ xx

Shadow Hamilton July 24, 2015 at 12:36 PM good imagery Suzanne congrats on placing hugs Suzanne Delaney July 24, 2015 at 3:45 PM Thanks Shadow: It was hard to choose a favorite among my poems but this is the only poem I have entered in a major competition and won. It was on the Gold Coast in Australia, for the theme Miracles. It won 1st. Place and $100. The only poem that has ever brought me money lol so it is a favorite for that reason too.

Jack Jordan June 10, 2013 at 11:07 AM Very nice word, Suzanne. A fond memory. Congratulations on your win... Jack

Poet Destroyer A June 10, 2013 at 9:31 AM SUZ, Congratulations with your nice winning poem ... xox~ LINDA

David De La Croes June 10, 2013 at 1:55 AM Congratulations on your win, SuZ. As always, you open our eyes to the unseen magic of the imagination - restoring the childhood in us... David

Sasha Maharaj June 10, 2013 at 1:29 AM :) Beautiful indeed

Joseph May June 7, 2013 at 3:01 PM congrats on your win with this magical write Suz...

Tim Ryerson June 7, 2013 at 2:12 PM Love it!...Your pop sounds like my kinda fella, and you went along with it too!...Congrats - Tim

Joyce Johnson June 7, 2013 at 11:11 AM What a jokester your daddy and you went right along with it. Congratulations on a wonderful entry and your big win. Love, joyce

Carol Eastman June 7, 2013 at 10:54 AM Absolutely, beautifully done. Carol Eastman June 7, 2013 at 10:54 AM OOOPPPs... I also meant to say congratulations on a great win!

Skat A June 7, 2013 at 10:52 AM thank you for choosing my contest. Congrats! ~SKAT~

Hgarvey Daniel Esquire April 7, 2013 at 7:50 PM Dear Suzanne, I reitterate my previous comment.You ARE a great Laureatus POETESS.LOVE YOU ALWAYS and FOREVER YOUR Eternal Liege...Harry

Hgarvey Daniel Esquire April 6, 2013 at 8:02 PM Dear Suzanne, I just sent YOU a Soup Mail asking to read this First Place Winning POEM.I have passed this POEM everytime I Comment on YOUR POETRY.I have to have my Eyes checked. I can see Why it WON A Father's LOVE,A Child's DREAM Great PEN Congratulations.LOVE ALWAYS and FOREVER YOUR Eternal Liege...Harry

Holly Moore April 4, 2013 at 11:34 PM Ahh, I love this. So, sweet. I collected unicorns when I was young. I had such a collection and such a close relationship with my father. I was with him when his passed. He was my fairy tale...xx Holly Moore Suzanne Delaney April 5, 2013 at 12:13 AM So glad it bought back happy memories of your Dad......he is still watching you from heaven I am sure. Hugs, SuZ

Debbie Duncan April 4, 2013 at 10:03 PM I love this so much Suzy,,,, just awesome, it goes very well with my secret garden ;}

Karl Marszalowicz April 4, 2013 at 7:41 PM what a father will do for his precious! nice poem I can hear the clip clopping. Suzanne Delaney April 4, 2013 at 8:00 PM ,,,,,glad you enjoyed my story...all make believe of course.

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