Long Rode Poems

Long Rode Poems. Below are the most popular long Rode by PoetrySoup Members. You can search for long Rode poems by poem length and keyword.


The Dark, Dark Room

The Halloween Party was in full swing
Witches, wizards and an alien thing
with tentacles and one huge eye
Flourishing a laser gun shouting "Die".

Alison and her friends Ada and Jo
Were all dressed as feline kittens "meow"
Carl and Simon had laced the fruit punch bowl
As the evening drew on it took it's tole.

Drunkenly a bet was stupidly placed
Who of them would last and not be outpaced
A nightly vigil at Haunted Creek
Where rode a phantom horseman, there to seek.

Everyone there all knew the awful tale
Making in unison a quick inhale
It was long ago in 1702
A mounted stallion there cast a shoe

The rider's name was Squire Abraham Knight
Was set upon and put up a good fight
He was then butchered for a gold doubloon
Was then thrown in the creek and found at noon

Unexplained sightings, that then disappear
have been recorded, it is very unclear
Warnings come from parents to their own child
No-one goes there, it is left to grow wild

With youthful bravado they all met there
Torches flashed around, as the trees stood bare
Alison and her friends huddled together
Shivering in the inclement weather

Bart and his brother camped down for the night
on a hillock, keeping the creek in sight
Joining them was the terror gang of four
Troublemakers, who all acted hardcore.

Two hours later it started to snow
Huge flakes falling and wind began to blow
"I've had enough of this" said Alison
"I'm all for going home. I'm all done!"

Eagerly agreeing, walked back in step
Suddenly Jo tripped up and in pain wept
"Can't go further, my ankle is wrecked"
Leaning on shoulders, onwards they all trekked.

"No, I can't, please, you must stop", poor Jo wailed
"It's agony! she gasped and then inhaled.
"Come on Jo, we can stop at Adam's place".
"We will make it there at a slower pace.

Adam's place was an old abandoned farm
"No, not there!" said Ada-May in alarm
"Afraid of ghosts and ghouls?" mocked Alison
"More like rats and spiders and not much fun!".

Giggling they arrived at old Adam's place
The moonlight showing fear on each girl's face
"We have to go in there, we have no choice"
Jo jumped. "Was that whinnying of a horse?"

On that retort they threw open the door
Stepping inside, they all dropped through the floor
Not one of them survived their dreadful doom
Trapped, without rescue, in the dark, dark room.............
Form: Rhyme


Just the Way It Was

‘Twas way back in them days 
when the ranch owner’s ways
was just about the only law there was around

Rancher’s money was king
and gun violence reigned
till marshal Ben Miller made his way into town

Well that town was real rough
till Ben said ‘twas enough
that’s when he used his guns to bring law to the street

But there's always that one 
thinks he's fast with his gun
would soon find himself face down covered with a sheet 

For the next twenty years 
Ben had kept the streets clear
of any no-gooders that might drift into town

Then folks started to say 
Ben was showing some gray
maybe his old age had started to slow him down

The councilmen all met
said it is with regret
that we tell you it's time for you to settle down

They baked him a nice cake
a few speeches they'd make
and introduced him to the new marshal in town
 
Town folk gathered and cheered 
told him how twenty years
was a long time to stay on this side of the grave

Ben took a look around 
rode his horse outta town
with his new gold watch and the few dollars he'd saved

That is often the way 
a cowboy's life got played
long ago when the country was still just a pup

When a trusted hired hand 
gave his life for the brand
honest and loyal was the way he was raised up

If you think this is sad 
or Ben's life turned out bad
well then this might be a little good news for you

Was the very next week 
Men lay dead in the street
they had robbed the bank and stole the mayor's horse too

When they tried to get Ben 
to come marshal again
sure don't take no book smarts to know how he replied

Well, he asked widow Jones 
if she'd like to go along
and off to the wide open Montana they'd ride
 
Was a day in March when 
Jasmine married old Ben
Though they had only been courtin' about a year

Said they was gonna go 
where the tall grasses grow
gonna try their hand raisin a few cows and steers

Well they made it alright 
through frozen winter nights
mostly cause they hadn't built up much of a herd

When the next spring turned mild 
it brought both calves and child
after that first year their ranchin' blood had been stirred

It’s been thirty years since 
granpap left Defiance
now I stop alongside his grave near' every day

I watch over his spread 
more than five thousand head
as they grow fat right here on the Rockin’ Bar J
Form: Rhyme

Bus Ride Across America

the Bus – Travels Through America’s Underbelly

I am a bus rider
That makes me unusual
For a white male 
From an upper middle class family

Our people are not bus riders
Though some are subway riders

Bus riders are other people
The poor, minorities, immigrants
People who don’t drive
Because they are blind
Or have a DUI

And in my case
I don’t drive
Because I have bad vision
And bad coordination
Just never got the hang 
Of the whole driving thing

Fortunately for me  
My wife does the driving 
But I still take the bus
From time to time

I rode the AC buses in Berkeley
As a child
Line 67, line 51, line 43 F bus
Rode them long before BART came along
And afterwards as well

As an adult seldom rode the bus 
But when I did so
I was always impressed 
By the sheer diversity 
Of the bus riding property

Hundreds of languages
All sorts of sexual orientation
Some were white
Most were not

Most of my fellow passengers
Were nice enough
Some were friendly
And some were lost 
In their own thoughts

And a few 
Were scary looking dudes
With the look
Of someone who had done time
And were capable of more violence

I also rode the bus 
In Seattle as a graduate student
A lot of fellow UW students
And the usual immigrants
Minorities etc

And some white people
Commuting

And in DC 
Over the years
I rode a lot of buses

Mostly to and from the metro
But I got to know 
And love the DC buses as well

I also took the greyhound bus
Across the country
Several times over the years
All over the U.S.

From Bay Area to Stockton
From Bay Area to Clear Lake
From Bay area to NYC
NYC to DC
All over the USA

Taking the Greyhound
Was always an an adventure
Met a lot of interesting people
As people on long distant bus rides
Tend to open up and talk
To pass the time away

Overseas I took the bus 
All over
In India, in Barbados
In Spain and in Korea

The Korean buses 
For many years 
Were difficult for foreign visitors
As the signs were all in Korean

Most have signs 
Now in English, Chinese and Korean
And are much more foreigner friendly

Riding the bus
In America
Allows one access 
To the underbelly of American society
The poor, the marginalized
The immigrant communities

That many middle-class white people
Just never see

And for that reason
I am glad	
That I am a bus rider
© Jake Aller  Create an image from this poem.

Premium Member Unlucky Jim , the End

Bank robber Jim was one unlucky bloke
Went to draw his gun but the holster broke
It dropped on the bank floor
And went off with a roar
The shock was too much and he had a stroke...

Though he was unconscious he hadn't died
Woke in a coffin for his final ride
In a desparate bid
Banged on the coffin lid
But all he could hear was laughing outside...

Written 17th June 2021

Then someone shouted can you hear banging
It was quite faint because folks were singing
The sheriff prised off the lid
And he was so glad he did
Because he thought we'll have us a hanging...

Jim didn't know whether to laugh or cry
Resigned himself to the fact that he'd die
Saw sheriff holding a rope
Realised there was no hope
And for unlucky Jim the end was nigh...

He was taken to the gallows in town
Handcuffed and wearing nothing but a frown
Jim was then starting to choke
But with the drop the rope broke
The crowd screamed as poor Jim came tumbling down..

Unlucky Jim jumped up quick as a flash
As he passed the bank ran in and grabbed cash
He stole the first horse he saw
Then let out a loud yee haw
And for sweet freedom he made a quick dash...

Written 19th June 2021


A bounty hunter called Nevada Slim
Went after bank robber Unlucky Jim
With tracker Spirit Bear
They discovered Jims lair
And Jim's future was now looking quite grim...

Slim called out "put your hands in the air"
Jim grabbed his gun,  Slim said "don't you dare"
But Jim was too fast
And let off a blast
Slim fell dead then Jim shot Spirit Bear...

Jim quickly packed his things and rode away
Thankful that he'd survived another day
He decided to lie low
But what old Jim didn't know
Was that Pinkertons were heading his way...

Jim was sleeping in the afternoon sun
And didnt hear the cocking of a gun
He woke up with dread
Saw guns at his head
And a lawman said "Jim looks like your done"...

Jim was handcuffed and they rode back to town
There to meet them was Sheriff and Judge Brown
The charges were read
Jim nodded his head
Sheriff said " this time Jim you're going down" ...

For Jims last request he asked for a smoke
And noticed the hangman had a new rope
He put a hood on Jims head
Jim dangled then he was dead
An escape this time!, there wasn't a hope...

Written 1st July  2021



RIP UNLUCKY JIM
Form: Limerick

Ever Jumped a Train - Part 2 - Robert and Ernie Adventures

One morning I sat down with Ernie to explain English,
I know you're a mouse but that squeak can only go so far.
He looked up at me blinked and then bared his teeth,
I said I'll take that for a smile so let's get started.

Ernie, quit staring out that box car door at the scenery,
You'll never learn to talk the King's language that way.
This is no tiny feat for you so please pay attention,
He sat up on hind legs and truly seemed to listen.

I told him that I was a young vagabond train traveler,
And explained that he was the smallest hobo of all time.
So if he could just learn to speak he would become famous,
My tiny friend it's just a matter of adjusting vocal chords.

Remember that if I can mimic your squeaks than why not,
Why could you not imitate my simple gibberish stated?
My God, right then I could see he understood my point,
Ernie's eyes lit up and he proceeded to write hobo on wall.

Actually he chewed the letters into that wood for me to see,
I knew all creatures were intelligent but what a revelation.
My friend Ernie could write so how far from speak was he?
Was so amazed was almost afraid to ask him next question.

Still I asked him where all his intelligence came from?
He turned his back and curled his tail into a question mark.
Was then I knew that not only did he understand questions,
He was asking me what I thought made me so extra special.

That night he chewed some questions for me into that wall,
Why war? Why kill unborn humans? Why kill nature? Why?
There I was the glorious teacher with no definitive answers,
Yet now that I've grown older I've also grown a conscience.

So easy when young to think you are center and will not die,
Those immortal thoughts soon withering on flesh bone tree.
To think it took my dear tiny friend Ernie to wake me,
It is truly humbling to bow before wisdom of a mouse.

That next day Ernie and I just sat there watching scenery,
He atop my knee and I marveling at my wonderful friend.
This train we rode directly through American history,
Passing by old settlements and battlefields of sorrow.

He saw my pain that day and nuzzled each tear from my eyes,
Knowing useless deaths with no respect for nature lived on.
We would travel together after that as ocean ship stowaways,
Still I will finish telling of our train travels together.

To be continued!

© Copyright 2014 Robert William Gruhn - All Rights Reserved
Form: Narrative


Premium Member Armadilly Billy, the Slingshot Kidster

Armadilly came galloping into Troll Lake, bent on seeking a new life, to unwind.
He’d rode out of the Badlands, leaving only a trail of blowing dust and leaves, behind.
His steady stead Jalopy had been pounding feet, relentlessly with powerful strides.
Rearing up, Armadilly stopped before our Troll Bridge with his slingshot at his side.

I could see, he rode the sleekest mount, and the biggest tortoise, that I had ever seen.
Man that armadillo knew his tortoise flesh… this was the fastest one, ever been!
I would say: he truly looked, the devil’s mount… with glowing, fire stocked eyes.
The stranger named himself as Armadilly, but his true identity, could not be denied.

He was really Armadilly Billy, The Slingshot Kidster, as he bowed to us, so very low.
With a yes Ma'am, and a no Sir, he was smooth and could charm, near any old soul.
The Trolls loved him for the spell binding stories, that at the campfire, he gave away.
He never talked about his past, but we knew who he was, without being told, that day.

The rumor had it that Sheriff Bunny Garret had shot him dead, on one fateful day.
Another said he’d faked his death, heading south to Mexico, his life to live away.
But we knew better, for he was here with us, right now, on this illustrious day.
We knew he was a kind and misunderstood guy, because of what I’m about to say.

He saved our squirrel, Funkundilly, from a hawk diving straight for her, inward bound.
With his slingshot, like streaked lightening, he forced the hawk to spiral to the ground.
And we all applauded that Funkundilly was now, once again, so very safe and sound.
Then he strode, spurs a jangling, to dish out his own type of justice, so very renowned.

With a steely glint in his eye, he ordered the hawk away, or meet his end, he did convey.
And you can say that frightened bully hawk, really high tailed it, as he ran away.
Everyone celebrated that night, with Armadilly, all the way to dawn’s embrace.
Before he left, Armadilly knew from then on, he’d always have a home in this place.

But his mind was set on a wandering, more of this world’s adventures, to unweave.
So with a HiHo! Jalopy! He took off, leaving in another cloud of dust and leaves.
But I heard him shout that he’d be back again, soon… 
And we were sure, that’s just what he would do!


Inspired by Silly Billy the Kidster's--- Billy the Kid Blog
An epic poem by Carol Eastman

Jealousy

“Jealousy”
Jimmy had odds to beat, one he was a black teen and the temptations of big city’s Streets. 
But a single black mother’s determination held his attention sternly,
So he had only Minimal interaction with streets.
He had rickets but Jimmy could catch any ball.
He ran with a gang that like to brawl,
Then he entered a Youth Center where a Mentor introduced him to football.
Pop Warner he’s leader of the team,
Onto High School Football team as runner for TD’s.
Scouts without doubts offered degrees.
Mother’s pleased when he goes to USC, to be toast of the university.
Jimmy rode football like a Hell’s Angel rides his hog.
He played halfback, fullback carrying the ball.
Top backers called, packs of women clawed,
Because for a rental car he ran through a mall.
Sydney was a naive Germany beauty queen, 
Blond haired eyes emerald green. 
Done nothing much since she jumped with the school cheer team.
But she had dreams, being famous on T.V., a celebrity.
But she’s stalled in the Pokipsy Mall,
Serving chili, hamburgers and hotdogs. 
When in comes Jimmy, walking tall, followed by his enthralled.
Each sees the other and head over heels each falls.
Their love, sweet, she felt entitled to be,
With the famous Jimmy.
After their affair they married, two heirs, beach house on Bundy Street,
Her face on T.V. with Jimmy, her dream is complete.
But Jimmy believes in slavery,
Believes possessions are bounty one forever keeps,
And Sydney is his property.
But black eye secrets don’t keep,
So she and her parents agree, divorce Jimmy immediately.
Jimmy falls, fell by divorce when the gavel falls.
But most of all,
He felt affronted by the German goofball in front of media tell-all, 
So he watches her like a hawk, to see with whom she walks.
She saw a new fella who won her heart and Sydney falls.
He wines and dines her many times and shows respect to all. 
So Jimmy waits, pissed off jealousy he has no date, until one night on her Ronald calls.
Greens seethe engulfs Jimmy from head to feet, it shuts off reasoning.
Disrespect for “The Great ME” is all he sees in this rivalry for his property.
He sees she succeeds with this non-minority.
To the door during their adoring greeting Jealousy creeps,
Like Flash he slash the throat of the one he knows,
Then at speed stabs repeatedly the one she greets,
As he tries to flee from Jealousy.
Form: Narrative

Premium Member Three Score and Fifteen Years Ago

Three Score and Fifteen Years Ago
By Franklin Price
11/14/2020

Three score and fifteen years ago
I was born upon this earth
Joined a family of eight,
Was the ninth, for what it's worth

Four sisters and two brothers
A mother, father there for me
I was to be the last of them
That nevermore would be

Was brought home to my siblings
Who were shown I was a boy
They were told it was not Christmas
That I was not a little toy

Spread of ages, ten long years
 Stuart Taylor to begin
Then, Nancy Ruth and Shirley Lou
Stopping then, would be a sin

 Earl Joseph, Laura Gertrude
Were the next ones in the game
Judith Carol just before me
Franklin Arthur is my name

Brought home to Merritt Island
Yes,  the one of lunar lore
Was then a growing citrus place
Barely had a country store

We had no city water
No AC then, you know
No TV there for watching
Listened to the radio

Milk brought by the milkman
Port Canaveral had no cruise
Truman was the president
The local paper brought the news

Many years have gone by
Helped shoot man to the moon
My father and my mother gone
Some siblings, way to soon

Nancy Ruth and Laura Gertrude
And myself are still around
They're now octogenarians
Five more years and I'll be crowned 

My life has been exceptional
The best wife for fifty years
In seven days it's fifty-one
Can still remember that from here

Left High School in sixty four
Sixty- eight in Vietnam 
Sixty-nine sent man off to the moon
It's great to be the who I am

Married, November, sixty-nine
To my wife and daughter too
They were the rocks within my life
For the things that I would do

Involved with start up ventures
Traveled all around the globe
Collected hotel ashtrays
Lots of shampoo and a robe

Had my own small business
A little longer than a score
Rode on Harley cycles
Three hundred thousand miles and more

Rode all the lower forty-eight
Three provinces above
A thousand miles in Africa
All  of these with my true love

So you see it's been a great life
And I'm only seven- five
I got up this fine morning
It's still great to be alive

Friends and family, who read this
And know of these things I say
Know you helped to make it great
As I traveled on the way 

Here's a toast to all of us
And the passed days since our birth
I'm sending love to all of you
For all that may be worth
Form: Rhyme

Premium Member Three Edens

It stands alone four square, white-washed straw-thatched, 
small window panes, black frames, and out back chickens hatched, 
pecking weedy ground around a single willow.
Set just a little back from single country lane, 
high-hedged between the farms with tracks for bumpy tractor rides, 
strong arms to try and guide wobble wheels on hardened sun-dry ruts, 
to draw trailored dung across winter's dark and muddy fields. 
 
Father's fingers, numb with frost by hand-picked sprouts, 
with dawn's dim light not yet bright enough to warm his back. 
And hundred weights of summer grain on neck and shoulder, 
staggered through barn doors to store, to tip hessian sacks piled high, 
sack upon sack.

My mother, crushed and bruised at milking stall, 
squeezing squirting teats to fill the milking pale, 
to complete them all before mucking out the dung and straw, 
then moving on to something more which bends the back 
and rubs sodden foot sore in chilled hoof-trodden boot.

This was no Eden's garden which followed war enough to harden 
even softer souls.
Yet, it was a paradise for smaller feet to roam free among the fields, 
not caring when to make for home and sup on sprouts that dad had picked 
and mum had peeled, and soft cooked, with such hard labour, 
all overlooked by youth, and by youth's youthful ignorance. 

For some, certainly for dad, and for mum, 
Eden's garden gave way to thistle and to thorn, 
and to sweated furrowed brows serving children's carefree days, 
and precious hopes for first and second son. 

These rode upon the carts and crossed the dykes in leaky barrels 
and threw their stones at tethered bull not caring for the weather, 
whether fine, or whether dull, or whether small gloved fingers numbed with chill.

For them that Eden's garden was a Paradise still, 
and though choking staining seed was sown, it was not yet grown, 
and eyes not yet exposed to serpent's smaller gardens, 
composed for ever younger eyes, for the tainting and enslaving of ever younger lives.

That wiley snake now lurks and lies inside dark orchards of delight, 
a world explored unseen from pillowed comfort, 
and sometimes in the darker night with a different sky blue light, 
that Eden web now known world wide, that Eden made with fallen pride, 
that Eden oft obscene, that Eden all of lies, that lies behind the pixel screen.
Form: Rhyme

Christmas Story

A proclamation was made one day, that each man return to his town of birth for 
audit. So in obedience to God, Mary and Joseph left for their long journey.  
Though she was heavy with child, and ready to deliver any day, still they went as 
directed of God.

The trip was long and arduous, Mary was mournfully in pain.  Joseph did what he 
could to comfort her, but still the journey made her dread each step upon the 
donkey that she rode.

When they had reached their destination and sought a place to stay, they were 
told there was nothing and were continually turned away.  Except for a kind in 
keeper seeing Mary in distress, offered the only thing he had to give, a stable 
where she could to rest.

In the stable Joseph gently laid her, to give her comfort from her long journey.  
Making sure she had a soft place to lay, he warmed her and saw to her needs.  
When the time was near she could hold her cries no longer.  And in that moment 
the heavens opened and a brilliant star came forth.

The cry of a new born filled the air, as Joseph so carefully wrapped him.  Mary 
held her new born son and look joyful with tears.  As she fell asleep with him in 
her arms.

As shepards watched their flocks that night, the star grew brighter still. They 
wondered what could cause such a sight and followed where it lead.

From far across many lands, three kings of orient came, they followed the star to 
where it lead, wanting to know what it would bring.

Upon their arrival to the humble abode where little Jesus lay, they knew in their 
hearts that they were in the presence of the heavenly King of kings.  Gifts they 
brought to leave the child, each with a meaning not yet known.  That night as 
Angels sang in heaven, on earth most did not know. 

But Jesus grew in strength and wisdom and shown of His Fathers love.  He gave 
us all a look at the face of our Father God.  So we celebrate this birth each year, 
not sure of month or day.  We hold it in our heart so dear wanting never that it go 
away.

So hold dear your loved ones and enemies too. For God sent His gift to all.  That 
we as sons and daughters may all experience His Glory and Awe.

I say to all with these words of praise, ‘Merry Christmas’, for Christ was born!  He 
is our greatest gift received from Heaven's Holy Throne.

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

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