Your eyes said “Saddle me for riding
Into the autumn-sunlit valleys,
To where the purple martin’s hiding.”
Gone from my mind the city alleys,
My Creole thoughts – insistent, zestful –
Now pacified, serene and restful.
Your eyes said “Saddle me for riding
To where the migrant woodcock’s hiding,
In copper foliage abiding,
Forever riding… riding… riding…"
Oh Shiloh, what a thing of wonder!
Just as I lean into the stirrup
I hear your hoofbeats land like thunder
Responding when I urge you – Gallop!
Now shall we ride through this clear morning,
Another night, another dawning?
Your eyes said “Saddle me for riding
To where the migrant woodcock’s hiding,
In copper foliage abiding,
Forever riding… riding… riding…"
Dear Shiloh, take me to my lover,
Please seek her out where grows the heather,
Past leaping salmon, startled plover.
For I’ve a wish to ride together,
If by some magic she could find me,
And take my hand, leap up behind me!
Your eyes said “Saddle me for riding
To where the migrant woodcock’s hiding,
In copper foliage abiding,
Forever riding… riding… riding…"
Go borrow legend’s wings for flying,
High over ev’ry Berkshire summit,
To hear the kite’s ecstatic crying,
To see her soar, and stoop, and plummet.
Go find my love, with speed pursue her,
And overtake her, bring me to her!
Your eyes said “Saddle me for riding
To where the migrant woodcock’s hiding,
In copper foliage abiding,
Forever riding… riding… riding…"
Author notes
Written October 9th, 2006
In a list
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Comments
1 - 40 of 40
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..and this one was promoted yesterday
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You asked me to suggest two poems I especially like, among poems you have posted recently. This is one of them.
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Holly, I intend to give it as much as I can... second only to love.
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Go for it, blue!
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Thanks, 'motion
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Never give up
It was amazing! It touched me deep in my heart. Keep on writing, and give your fullest to it.
~Holly~ -
Great job! You made me feel like riding my horse.
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Cute write. Matches the picture.
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I am very glad that people are reading my poems. Thank you for the appreciation.
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Oh! What a nice piece that you have written here! I like it! It seems like a great piece to read in the beginning of summer when everything is in full bloom and life is just teeming. It has a very open and accepting feel to it. It sounds like it's tipped towards being romantic but more about appreciating life and wondering at all the things that surround you. It was a really nice picture that you had too. So I think you did a good job of expressing yourself here. And thanks for featuring this so that we all had a chance to share your words and feelings with you!
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Thanks william - I wish I didn't have to dash off - I would love to cruise round and visit the pages of all those who commented. I hope to get round to it soon.
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if i had a choice i would have liked to be a horse in the wild west with a medicine man on my back rideing off to snag some buffalo but alas i am here in the dreadful land of ours where the air can kill you as with the water as well i thought this was a great write and please keep doing well
love the papa -
You pay me a great compliment, Lisa. Thank you.
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{bows to Empress Ariela}
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0short, thank you for the compliment - Old English poetry with a New England theme to it . I specialise in writing formal poems, and indeed in that respect I write "old" poetry, so I am very glad you liked it.
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Very well... let it go forward into the anthology with "other" in that line. I am content, and grateful.
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Bravo Bravo great write
Awesome almost feel the cool breeze on my face from the ride. Amazing write well done the words flowed so well. (Lisa)
"Go borrow legend’s wings for flying,
High over ev’ry Berkshire summit,
To hear the kite’s ecstatic crying,
To see her soar, and stoop, and plummet.
Go find my love, with speed pursue her,
And overtake her, bring me to her!"
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Wow I loved this poem..thank you so very much for sharing your talents with us. I appreciate it.
Ariela -
"other" would work. LOL.
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wow. This read's like...like really old, English poetry, I don't know the proper words to describe it, I'm sorry. in any case that is a compliment. (lol) this is amazing...I love it. The images are beautiful and the story told is real and fluid. Beautiful poetry.
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yeah, I get that about the poem but can easily see it in other lights, too, especially since I have two young daughters who I just read it to who don't get that out of it, even with the word lover -- but more of a free spirited ride of a young girl.
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dp, thank you very much indeed for your appreciation.
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Well I would love to help the children at West Nickel Mines after that terrible tragedy, so please do include it. But I am going to have to stick with "lover", or the whole feel of the poem goes out of the window. Readers may assume, if they so wish, that I took artistic license and wrote this poem from a man's point of view. But it has to be said that it is romantic and subtly erotic (without being explicit). I shall leave it up to you, but I appreciate the kind offer.
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This poem has a great little sensibility, almost old timey in flavor. I agree that the fowl references are an added bonus to the feel this piece has...great job.
dp -
I absolutely adore this with all the bird references. I grew up with horses and woodcock so this really hits me. I'd love to include it in my next anthology which will be children's poems to benefit the West Nickel Mines Amish school shooting victims. Perhaps with a tweak of lover to make it mother?
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Poe, the thought of you trying to ride a moggy!
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Melodies, I am grateful you have confidence in me.
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Well, Mairi, this was absolutely stunning.. What a Ride!!!
pure enjoyment in every stride!!!! This almost makes me
want to saddle my cat up and ride along..but being a cat
with an attitude, she'd just throw me off.. lapoe.
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How ever did you know that where I live there are so many horse lovers? I shall take this wonderful poem straight way to Poetry Planet where readers will be delighted! Thank you!
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Thanks, I am glad you enjoyed it.
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charming
oh, how fantastical! this poem reads like a fairy tale. charming! i loved it! -
Dear azure, Moonshine Pixie. I am so glad you enjoyed it.
Edited on Oct 09, 3:46 p.m. because ''. -
This was a beautiful poem, so inspiring to read. The horse as the main character, overlays the lover's story on a mission to find true love. (I love horsies)
You have used great descriptions of the forest around them, the creatures that inhabit the places they are riding and see.
Please seek her out where grows the heather,
Past leaping salmon, startled plover.
Oh, these are glorious lines, thank you for sharing such a pretty poem with us all.
Smooshes,
Moonshine Pixie -
So much in those three, short words, Michael. I am so glad you liked this piece of whimsy.
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Enchanting, hypnotic, wonderful!
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Silly? You? Hardly, dear
SMOOSH! -
Darling dream mum
About horses I'm insane
to hold and ride
mouth agape looking inane
its my silly pride.
Smoosh
Janet -
Oh and by the way... strictly speaking that horse is a Tobiano Pinto. Whether it looks anything like the real "Shiloh" I am afraid I don't know.
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No I can't, I'm afraid. The narrator of this poem is supposed to be someone else, hence the vague reference to Massachusetts. I am so glad you liked it.
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this was gorgeous..can you ride? I always wanted to learn..and being a city kid i never stopped yearning for horses...beautiful picture of a paint there mum...great job...desi
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