Ghost Riders

By skinner_jennifer

Wed, 12 Jun 2019
  • 4079 reads
19 comments
 

It seems so long ago

a tuneful legend was

hidden, but not lost.

 

We took pleasure in

telling tales of wild

nature and galloping

hooves, a figure so

ghostly, spirit pure as

driven snow...she rode

white stallion across

downs and ancient

meadows.

 

Then! Pausing between

each breath, stopping at

sight of her once home

on that early morn just

before dawn, she recalls

hearing distant sound...

woodpecker hammering

on fabric of trunk so torn,

daylight combing its way

through fog to where

marmalade skies are born.

 

Remembering owl tracing

distance path through veiled

wood – wings fanned out,

whilst mist hung around

imposing ground, snaking

in between tall trees like

gathering ghosts, but!

There were no melancholy

banshee screams, no fear

here was ever deemed.

 

As cunning land chews

on moldy autumn leaves,

and beetle stumbles

falls on its face only

to click back up in place.

 

So much dew on grassy

blades, song that spills

from Turdus Merula...

such a spicy name!

Digesting invertebrates

then hopping away again.

 

Unaware, worms rooting

underground, tunneling away

at layers of soil, while above

blackbirds create endless

disorder, they are not

mindful of enchanting riders,

spectral visions on surrounding

cleft of hills, holding bright

against all compelling flora,

as buzzards frenzy absorb

compulsion for hunt on

sweet scented land below.

 

 

 

Picture by pixabay free images.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Certificate PG
Poem
Poems
Spiritual
Fantasy
Nature

Comments

Submitted by Di_Hard on

I like all the details of Nature busy in the background :0) Keeping the place tidy for spirits pure as snow! Turdus is a rubbish name for blackbirds isn't it? Merula is much nicer :0) It is spooky when mist comes up out of dark ground, makes it very easy to believe in ghosts

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you for your comment Di.

I had a lot of fun writing this, because I do enjoy tales of fantasy and wonder, I think it's what makes good story telling around the camp fire.

I must agree with you about the part of the name Turdus for blackbird, I didn't want to use blackbird twice in this piece. They are such comical birds as they turn over leaves with their beaks and pick out stones tossing them around, searching for insects and worms.

Thank you for your comment and I'm glad you enjoyed reading. 

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Hello Jennifer, "It seems so long ago a tuneful legend was hidden, but not lost". Is your poem based on a myth or a rediscovered legend? I don't know it, the story then. Not mindful of enchanting riders!

Jonny Cash had a similar cowboy and western song about "Ghost riders in the sky" it is very good all his music is/was we grew up with it.

Keep well! Tom Brown

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Tom,

the fantasy was completely out of my imagination, but I have heard of the grey lady that is said to wander. 

I wanted to tell a tale, but not a scary one, of a lady's spirit returning to the place of her birth and remembering nature's wonders while she was alive. She then returns to the spirit world along with the other riders that escorted her to her long forgotton home.

Sometimes when reading another person's work, it's hard to understand what writers are talking about, only in  their imaginations does it make sense. I hope my explanation helps.

By the way, my partner's a big Cash fan and I do know the track you are mentioning.

Thank you for stopping by to read and your great comment.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

"similar" is not a good word the stories are very different it's mostly the title I think! Your story is beautiful but sad in a way. A happy story actually.

All the best! Tom

 

Submitted by celticman on

reminded me of that film with Johnny Deep. Sleepy not so Hollow. 

 

Submitted by TonyC25 on

Wow excellent you capture the wonder and mystique of nature.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jack,

what a great compliment, I loved that film Sleepy Hollow.

Thank you for reading and your thoughts.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you so much for reading Tony. I have to say that the mystique of nature is such a wonder and gives me so much inspiration for writing.

Your thoughts are very much appreciated.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by TonyC25 on

Cheers Jennifer yes me too, my Panamanian friend says he's going to the capital and I don't remember people but the sloth in a tree and three pelicans skimming the ocean

 

Submitted by TonyC25 on

Sorry didnt see Jenny

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you for stopping by Tony, it's always nice to read your comments.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Catching up on things I missed - this is wonderful Jenny - you've let your imagination roam wide and far and it's paid off in spades!

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Thank you for stopping by to read insert. Your comment is greatly appreciated.

Jenny.

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi again Tom,

you're right about this story being sad and happy all at the same time. I think until spirits have fully moved on, they want to return to the place that gave them the most happiness, it draws them back like a magnet.

Well that's my theory anyway.

By the way lovely to hear from you and all the best to you too.

Jenny. 

 

Submitted by rayjones on

hi its rayjones again, liked your poem It has a natural flow of imagery that ignites the imagination and takes the reader to wonderful threshold of possibilities 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi ray, it's so kind of you to take the time to read my work. I'm always grateful for readers, it makes writing all the more worthwhile. 

I did enjoy writing this one, being able to take the imagination away is what It's all about.

Take care and many thanks.

Jenny.

 

 

Submitted by jeand on

Hi Jenny

this is really good.

Ii love the imagery in it - and your choice of words.

 

Jean

Jean Day

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

Hi Jean,

if I can create the right imagery for the reader, then I'm happy.

always appreciate your words and thank you for reading.

Jenny.