Best Dismounted Poems
The Unicorn
Once upon a time…
an incredible event occurred that was so sublime.
On a warm summer night many years ago,
awakened by the rhythmic tempo
of hoof beats coming from the yard below,
I peered outside my bedroom window.
There on my lawn I was astonished to see,
a silver-white unicorn peering back at me.
Dressed in only a nightie, I dashed out my front door;
and found him frolicking, prancing to and fro.
Sparkling as he was under a silvery moonbeam,
I wondered if this was only a surreal dream.
He was handsome, noble, and dignified,
so confident and assured trotting to my side.
In awe of this mythical creature, I couldn’t speak,
but gently patted him from cheek to glowing cheek.
His well-groomed mane felt like satin and silk,
with a faint scent of harvested hay and fresh milk.
Then I heard from inside my head,
a deep, masculine voice which stately said,
“Your Majesty, it would be my great honor
to take you on a tour of celestial wonder!”
Reverently he bowed, as I, completely taken aback,
hesitantly mounted his muscular unsaddled back.
Time stood still as he swept me away,
right through the heart of the magnificent Milky Way.
We flew past amazing asteroids, planets, moons,
and zillions of stars looking like fiery, bulging balloons.
In flight, we traveled at the very speed of light,
and I was exhilarated with unbridled delight.
Returning me to Earth, he bowed his gallant head;
and as I dismounted graciously said,
“It’s been a pleasure, my dear Queen;
so long, and I’ll see you in your dreams!”
But even though our voyage of discovery was over,
that mystical experience changed my life forever.
Never again have I seen the unicorn on my lawn,
but from time to time, between midnight and dawn,
in my dreams, I hear a voice that’s oddly familiar
call out my name in a velvety whisper.
And somehow I know that it’s my old friend…
who’ll be watching over me ‘til the end.
02-03-2017
Contest: Once Upon a Time
Sponsor: Eve Roper
Placement: 10th
Categories:
dismounted, fantasy,
Form:
Rhyme
The sun was setting, as it usually does
The town a ghost town, the main street all but silenced
The wind blowing leaves and dreams to and fro
The tension in the air was palpable
The few souls about all peering out shuttered windows
When in from the west, came a storm
Her name was Serena Storm,
They shivered in her wake, the poetess of dead lovers
Then over to the east side, riding in slow and steady
The grim reaper or so it seemed, hollowed eyes
Dead soul and dark mind, his side arm at the ready
The greatest duel in history, right here
In the town of Nowhere
The setting sun reflected of her dark long coat
The last tear drop, falling to its death in the dust
She stared ahead, face blank
Daring, with a glare, shoot me, shoot me, try
He dismounted his horse, called Heartless Soul
His eyes slits, staring down the curvaceous storm pacing untoward
His hand inside his coat, slowly pulling out a mickey
He belted down a shot or three,
In the town of nowhere
They both paced, hands at their side
Closer and closer, the saloon keeper
Not quite sure his bottle would be paid in full
Then as quickly at the sun set……
Vaso drew first.
The finest long black quill one ever saw
His other hand dropped his bottle
Magically a writing pad appeared
Serena drew second, pen at her side
The color of blood, and for good reason
She too tablet in hand, putting ink to paper
As they both furiously wrote
In the town of Nowhere
Hearts were murdered
The meaning of life was hanged not long after
Love was beheaded
The main street a river of blood
A storm of tears washing away crimson desires
An empty vassal, Vaso’s insides already dead
Dropping his pen, he pulled out his sword of mourning
The duel to end, as he lopped off his own head
She dropped paper and pen to the ground
She faced down the grim reaper, and it’s he who is dead
The only one to know, his name was Arthur
King of the dark, ruler of lost dreams
In the town of Nowhere
The poetic duel of the century
Both won and lost
Long ago
Categories:
dismounted, beauty, dream, gothic, writing,
Form:
Light Verse
Feeling lethargic,
Sue went on
a banana diet,
and started to feel
more energetic and alive,
walking past the
local playground,
she was going
to keep walking,
when she quickly
changed her mind...
Swinging round and round,
flipping upside down,
she couldn't believe
the bananas gave her
so much stamina,
one last go round,
she dismounted
landing perfectly
on the ground,
just like an
Olympic champion!
Categories:
dismounted, fun, humor,
Form:
Light Verse
A lone desperado rode his lathered cayuse to old Santa Fe.
It was high noon, sweltering hot and dusty on that fateful day.
The handsome young outlaw wore deadly forty-fours on each hip,
And there were multiple notches etched on each pistol grip!
He dismounted and brushed men aside as he strode to the saloon.
By the look on his face, someone faced doom that sultry afternoon!
He ordered up a bottle of whiskey to wet his sun-parched throat,
Downed a couple of shots and gazed around taking note!
For days he had ridden to find his roving sweetheart LeNore.
Now, he spotted her with a cowpoke in a dark corner near the door.
Their eyes locked briefly and she quickly turned away.
Knowing what was to happen, she sensibly got out of the way!
The enraged desperado fingered his forty-fours and lit a big cigar,
Roaring, "You stole my woman and you know damn well who you are!"
Men scattered, chairs toppled and the two men fired their rod!
When the billowing smoke had settled, one had met his God!
Alas, the lifeless young outlaw lay sprawled upon the barroom floor!
Clutching him to her breast with tearful supplications, knelt LeNore.
They buried him in a lonely grave atop a knoll in Old Boot Hill!
Lenore placed petunias upon his grave, declaring her true love still!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
dismounted, cowboy-western, old, men, old,
Form:
Rhyme
The marshal saddled up as dawn broke over old Dodge City.
Upon town rabble and mean hombres he took no pity!
He donned his ten-gallon hat and strapped on his gun.
On his vest the marshals' badge gleamed in the rising sun!
Sheepskin chaps and fancy boots completed his dandy outfit.
He was a handsome dude - with the ladies he made quite a hit!
He mounted his horse Woody and took a ride about the town,
Ever on the lookout for desperados of notorious renown!
He took a break for a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs,
Then continued on his rounds on the lookout for society's dregs.
Rowdy cowpokes galloped down Main Street on a toot.
Marshal Dan escorted them out of town in hot pursuit!
At high noon the peace of Dodge City was interrupted,
When a brawl at the Long Branch Saloon suddenly erupted!
Shooting began and Marshal Dan drew his peace-maker;
Two rowdy gun-slingers had a date with the undertaker!
With Marshal Dan, peace in Dodge City was guaranteed.
Danny dismounted his rocking horse Woody, his faithful steed.
It had been a tough day trying to be fair and impartial.
Now it was afternoon nap time for the little five-year old marshal!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)
Categories:
dismounted, childhoodold, peace, city, horse,
Form:
Rhyme
It was shiny and bright sitting under the tree.
There were other things there, but that's all I could see:
a Lionel toy train on a circular track!
The caboose was maroon and the engine was black.
And to top it all off on this fine Christmas day,
was an engineer's cap that I donned right away.
I had deadlines to make and my job couldn't shirk,
so I rolled up my sleeves, and went straight to my work.
Utilizing impressive construction techniques,
I made Tinker Toy tunnels through newspaper peaks.
With an engine, a caboose, and three railroad cars,
I would ride to the moon and haul back the stars!
It sputtered and sparkled and went round and around
with a clickety clackety sonorous sound,
and an oily ozony odoriferous tang:
my thunderous wondrous electric toy train!
And then Daddy and I had to go out for bread,
and to pick up the big Sunday paper he read.
We're just about home when there was flashing of red...
and the crossbars dipped down at the railroad ahead.
As the freight train slowed up, I could clearly divine
the big engineer's head with a cap just like mine!
We dismounted and yelled, and I signed him three yanks.
He gave me three toots - and I waved back my thanks.
With my engineer's cap and my blue overalls,
I was dressed in a style to give anyone pause!
I had grand places to go and marvels to see...
but Mommy had my breakfast all ready for me.
It sputtered and sparkled and went round and around
with a clickety clackety sonorous sound,
and an oily ozony odoriferous tang:
my thunderous wondrous electric toy train!
Categories:
dismounted, christmas, nostalgia,
Form:
Rhyme
Santa’s Promise
My Granny was riding a reindeer,
out back on the lawn by our shed.
It looked like a bull riding contest
but the horns were a rack instead.
My Papa was sitting and watching
while he cheered for the bucking steer.
Oh Dad, I don’t know what you’re drinking
but that bull is a North Pole deer.
While Granny was hooting and clicking,
‘ole Santa appeared on our shed.
“Now, Granny I kept up my promise
and Dancer is leading the sled.”
“Tonight is the eve of the Christ birth.
It’s a night of world love and peace.
The magical sleigh of believing
starts midnight with love gifts apiece.”
He waited while Granny dismounted,
then Dancer proceeded to bow,
about that time, Dad had miscounted…
He passed out while toasting the cow.
Janet L Vick
Quatrain form
Categories:
dismounted, funny, love,
Form:
Quatrain
Sergeant Major O'Malley, Seventh Cavalry, had served nigh on three decades.
He rose through the ranks havin' served in squads, companies and brigades.
Second lieutenants were nuisances and he treated them as if they didn't exist!
He took recalcitrant lads behind the barracks to administer discipline with his fist!
You'd better have your horse and tack lookin' keen for Saturday mornin' parades,
Or Sergeant Major O'Malley would sear the ozone with his thunderin' tirades!
He'd escort you to the stables to shovel manure if you ever mistreated a horse!
Sergeant Major O'Malley's colorful lingo left one with a feelin' of remorse!
He had absolutely no patience with the foibles of raw and bumblin' recruits.
Lord have mercy on the hapless lad who failed to shine his saber and his boots!
Should a trooper snooze in the saddle when escortin' the colonel's stage,
Sergeant Major O'Malley would stomp and rave unleashin' a towerin' rage!
At the break of dawn when reveille sounded, he'd burst through the barracks door,
Yellin' "Up and at 'em me lads! Outta them bunks! What am I a-payin' ye for!
Ye sorry excuses fer sojers! Hie to the stables! Them hosses needs oats and hay!
And when that's done, git back here to eat yer grub and scrub this filthy bay!"
Things were different when he dismounted his horse and entered his house!
The one who gave orders and 'wore the stripes' at home was his formidable spouse!
He meekly responded to her constant commands with a resigned, "Yes, my dear."
"Taps" was a welcome sound at close of day in Sergeant Major O'Malley's ear!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
© All Rights Reserved
Categories:
dismounted, funnyhorse,
Form:
Rhyme
They were on the summit of the hill as if poised in a portrait.
The breeze ruffling the stud's forelock and mane as he arched his head
responding to the reins he moved on as his rider leant forward and
rubbed his poll in affection. Tensed up his withers quivering he sprang into
action careening down the slope pulling up lame. His rider dismounted
and ran his hand down his legs finding some heat in the fetlock. Lifting
his leg he found the cause a stone lodged in his frog, using his hoof
pick he dislodged it thanking his lucky stars that it was not a pulled stifle.
Checking his hind legs for heat in the hocks and gaskin he found all to be well.
He patted his croup in affection and re-examined the front leg still a little heat but his coronet seemed fine. A week's rest should put him right allowing the bruised frog time to heal. It would be tight to keep him fit for their big show in three weeks time but a strained stifle would have put him out of action for at least six weeks. On foot he lead Silver back to the stables and there applied a poultice to his hoof which he would change daily until the frog recovered, leaving Silver munching happily on hay. He walked into the tack room and replaced his tack and stood admiring the rows of rosettes that lined the walls.. The upcoming show would give him the final proof of how superb he was and then people would flock to bring their mares to him and his line would be perpetuated long into the future.
Categories:
dismounted, horse,
Form:
Narrative
She came from out of nowhere
Her hair flowing in the breeze
Wearing a cowboy hat and boots
With denim skirt above her knees
Her steed that she rode upon
Was as white as white could be
How magnificent they looked
Both such a sight to see.
She rode up along side of me
Dismounted with such ease.
Long legs made her skirt rise up
My God, she was a tease.
Her blouse was made of satin
Undone three buttons down.
Her breasts were free and unrestrained
And tanned to a golden brown.
She said "Howdy handsome stranger,
I've been watching you for awhile,
Is it true you're a tarnished cowboy?"
She asked, with a playful smile.
I said "Yes, I'm a little tarnished,
But I can make your dreams come true.
Is that why you came riding by?
Did I cast a spell on you?"
"Oh yes, I do believe your magic
You can cast a mystic spell
I can see you're slightly tarnished.
How much more is there to tell?"
I put my arm around her neck
Our boots fell into a rhythmic stroll
My hand was hanging loose and close
To free buttons and her soul
She smiled as I spoke to her
Said "Do you really want to know?
How I got a little tarnished
Might not be a place to go."
She gazed into my eyes of blue
There was a little hint of doubt.
My mind started wondering
What was she really all about?
She said, "Listen blue eyed cowboy
I want you to talk to me
Show me what you want and need
I will do my best to please."
We spread a blanket on the ground
And together we did lay
Campfire was burning warm and bright
We made love, till the break of day
When I awoke my pretty cowgirl
Was nowhere to be seen
Was she just an apparition?
Was she just a mystic dream?
Her cowboy hat and denim skirt
Lay rumpled on the ground
I picked them up and held them
But she was nowhere to be found
Guess I will keep on dreaming
As I Hope for another chance
To lay 'long side my Mystic Cowgirl
And do another mystic lover's dance
Categories:
dismounted, fantasy, lost love, passion,
Form:
Prose Poetry
Feeling lonely I drove my car into the countryside
The hot sun scorched the earth that day
With picnic in hand I wanted to drink in nature
Finding a secluded spot under a tree near a field
I drank and ate and listened to the chirping birds
Feeling lazy I decided to take a walk
Out among the wheat fields golden stalks
I heard before I seen a lone cowboy ride up
Wind fluttered upon my cheeks as I slowly gazed
My heart decided to take an extra beat
There riding a magnificent stallion, black as night
Was the most striking figure I had ever seen
Black hair tinged with silver gray
Starring, weary blue eyes that looked my way
We gazed into each others eyes
The attraction was undeniable
As he dismounted his scent and sweat filled my nostrils
His exposed muscles tensed under the heat
My eyes widened at the sun burnt perspiring skin
As he took off his cowboy hat and wiped his brow
He greeted me with a seductive smile
Oh so handsome was this cowboy man
.
3/9/13
Categories:
dismounted, sun,
Form:
Cowboy Poetry
He slowly dismounted his horse
As he glanced at her his soul drifted
Floating on a cloud amidst the summers heat
A vision of loveliness looking his way
His mind lingered on this breath taking beauty
He felt he was drowning in the deep ocean
Being pulled by those sea blue eyes.
He knew in that moment that she was his
Never before had he felt that magical moment
It was as if woken from a long deep dream
She smiled and the sun shone brighter
Her eyes twinkled like the starry heavens
This cowboy had just met love at first sight.
3/10/13
Categories:
dismounted,
Form:
Cowboy Poetry
The plane arrived
on the cold snowy day.
I stood on the bench,
just so you could see me.
Gleefully, I watched
as passengers dismounted
but as the crowd dwindled down
I saw no sign of you.
We had already made plans
First, was going shopping for Maggie
but, now I was worried...
I didn't see you exit.
I quickly ran to the pilot
"Where is John Smith?"
"We had no John Smith," he said
as he checked the paper.
I sadly walked home.
No glee in my heart.
My Christmas spirit all gone,
Because you were not here.
As cold as it was,
I took the long way,
Thinking that maybe, just maybe,
I could walk the sadness out of my heart.
I remembered your face when you left
You smiled and waved
And promised to come back to me...
safely.
As I entered the house,
Drenched from the snow,
The phone rung.
I jumped to answer it.
"Hello, Mrs Smith?"
"This is I."
"Yeah, about your husband..."
I suddenly grew quiet... and worried.
"He...... he......he's dead."
"OH, GOD! NO!!!"
Those were the only words
That I remember saying
Before I hung up
In the pilot's face.
It seems that
I'll be home for Christmas
But this time...
I'll be alone.
Categories:
dismounted, lost love, love, sad
Form:
Free verse
He rode in to Santa Fe one summer day on a broken-down, sweaty nag.
All he owned was the clothes on his back and the Bible in his saddle bag.
He wore a suit of black, an old slouch hat, both so dusty and frayed.
He was an itinerant preacher man by the name of Jeremiah Slade.
Beneath his well-worn duds he wore a brace of pistols on his hips,
With the 'sinners' in towns he occasionally enjoyed a couple-a nips!
His District Superintendent took a very dim view of his associations,
Warnin' that it might lead him into very injudicious temptations!
He dismounted, hitched his hoss and brushed the dust from his suit,
And strolled to Clancy's Saloon, well-known as a house of ill-repute!
He sauntered up to the bar and pointed to a jug of whiskey on the shelf,
Sayin', "Bartend, hand me that bottle. I'll pour three-fingers fer myself!"
He leaned with his back to the bar surveyin' the riotous scene before him.
The debauchery he viewed indicated reapin' souls looked mighty grim,
But he drawed his guns and hammered the butts on the bar fer attention!
"By Gawd!" he thundered, "I intend to clean up this place is my intention!"
With that the dancin', brawlin' and gamblin' came to an abrupt cease!
"Now, I want y'all to find Jesus and give each other the kiss of peace!"
Forty-two souls searched and found Him that day in Clancy's Saloon!
He praised the Lord, sayin', "That's a purty good haul and it ain't even noon!"
The new saints were shoutin' "Hallelujah!" and he roared, "Now hold on there!
I remind y'all I don't preach fer nothin' and if'n y'all would care to share,
I'll pass the hat and as Jesus said, ''Tis better to give than to receive!"
He gave some to the bartend, sayin' "Set 'em up!" With that he took his leave!
Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired
(c) All Rights Reserved
Categories:
dismounted, humorous, religion,
Form:
Rhyme
\
Hopped out early from his bunk bed
Jumped into his old blue jeans
Slipped his hand into his pocket
Found enough change for a drink
Put his tennie to the kickstand
Hopped aboard his three-speed bike
Smiled in great anticipation
Drew a breath of summertime
Strapped his helmet to his noggin
Heading on a morning ride
He had reason to be smiling
Now that this day had arrived
Billy rode along the asphalt
Like a bird he felt so free
No more classrooms, no more homework
School was out for twelve whole weeks
He cruised past Demato's grocery
An old stucco painted white
Where good gossip was the staple
Soft-boiled peanuts on the side
Heard some geese honk from the mill pond
Saw a yearling near the pass
Billy eased off on the pedals
Trying to make the moment last
Sunlight gently swept across him
O'er the treeline at the rise
Fragrant honeysuckle blossomed
In the holler near Route Five
And he wondered about Heaven
Could it be as nice as this
He was sure of one thing nicer
His dear grandpa whom he missed
As miles disappeared behind him
And his thirst began to build
He had one more place to visit
For his trip to be fulfilled
Soon he reached the Tower Toll Bridge
Though no toll was ever paid
Inside joke by the designers
Built for one car, either way
In the distance he could see it
A lone tombstone on a grave
The old church that stood beside it
Had a century's decay
He dismounted at the entrance
And approached the ancient sign
All it said was Billy Edwards
Born in eighteen-fifty-nine
Date of death gone to erosion
But his age was given - eight
And the last time Billy came here
Both their ages were the same
For a full year he had worried
If he'd die within that time
Just the same as Billy Edwards
Now he had some peace-of-mind
Categories:
dismounted, childhood, children, miracle, religious,
Form:
Epic