Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Congratulations on your 100th post, Paul! And thank you for this entertaining Halloween poem with your signature ballad storytelling.
Hope this does well in the contest!
Wish you could have given this poem to the people who ran the race track. I'm sorry that it closed.

 Comment Written 31-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 31-Oct-2023

Thanks, Helen. I'm going to miss that track. It was only a few miles from my home.

Comment from Mary Vigasin

Exceptional

Congratulations on your 100th post, Paul.
Here is my six-star. This is so well done and the time and effort you took to create it is impressive and brilliant writing.
Good luck in the contest.
Mary

 Comment Written 30-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 31-Oct-2023

Thanks, Mary. I think I'll run over tonight and try to catch the race.

Comment from Spitfire

Exceptional

The rhythm of this made me think of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere and the name made me remember the story of the Cremation of Sam McGee. The story line is intense and scary. I could visualize those otherworldly creatures watching this race. You're a genius, Paul! If you don't win, I'll eat my toes. Smile...

 Comment Written 30-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 31-Oct-2023

Thanks, Shari. Please don't eat your toes. I haven't had much luck lately.

Comment from dragonpoet

Excellent

Hi Paul,
Congratulations on your 100th post.
This is a fun but sad story told smoothly in rhyme. It's exciting when a long shot wins a race, I don't think I would hide in any woods on any night.
Good luck in the contest.
Keep writing and stay healthy.
Have a great week.
Joan

 Comment Written 30-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Joan. I have a hard time picking the favorites, let alone the long shots.

reply by dragonpoet on 30-Oct-2023

My pleasure. Same here, Iigoto the track on ea summer an consider its winning day if I come back with any money. I only bet 2 to4 dollars on each race. Though Igo for standard horse races not harness races.
Joan

Comment from Laurie Holding

Exceptional

YES! This is such a fun read, and your cadence and rhyme scheme are spot-on perfect. What a great story! I hope you're gathering your best pieces and thinking of publishing, Paul. You're very talented. This was a wonderful break in my day.

 Comment Written 30-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Laurie. I have had one book published, and I am working on a second.

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

There's some truth in this All Hallows Eve horse race. Spooky good in rhyming verse, Paul.

Sending you my best today as always, and my very best wishes for the upcoming contest.
Sally :))

 Comment Written 30-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Sally. Great flag picture in your profile.

Comment from Terry Broxson

Excellent

LOL, well done, Paul, and congratulations on post number hundred. Your horse race is very creative. I do like the crowd of bettors who come out to see the race. I have one suggestion. You might consider calling it the Halloween Derby. Good job. Terry.

 Comment Written 30-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Terry. That's a good idea.

Comment from Jesse James Doty

Excellent

The ending stanza is my favorite. I love how you tie up loose ends. Night racing as a title didn't pull me in but as I read the Halloween tale I started to like the idea of horse racing at night on the eve of Halloween and what might happen on that frightful night is scary.
Thanks for the thrill. Good luck with the contest.
Jesse

 Comment Written 30-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Jesse. I've got to check to see if they are racing tomorrow night.

reply by Jesse James Doty on 30-Oct-2023

Go for it!

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

A very different one and I like originality. But not that the horse died ð???.
Nevertheless your ballad was excellent and flowed with a very suitable jauntiness, and included enough about the events of hall to keep everyone happy , and to certainly do well. Best wishes for it.
Congratulations also on your hundredth post. Great milestone.
Wendy

 Comment Written 30-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Wendy. I try to keep track of my posts. I had that one at 99. I must have missed one.

Comment from Lisasview

Excellent

Wow, what a poem...really did enjoy it.
what form did you use? I really do not see rhyme through out..Plus, congrats on your 100 milestone...
That is wonderful ...
Lisasview, now in Spain

 Comment Written 30-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks for the review, Lisa. It's a ballad type meter with the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyming.

reply by Lisasview on 30-Oct-2023

Oh a ballad... that is great..
Thank you for letting me know..
Lisa