Comment from Dawn Munro

Exceptional

I loved this! Your Halloween poem is a keeper! It either is based on a legend or you just invented one, in which case I suggest you publish locally a.s.a.p.!

This is a winner in my book!

 Comment Written 29-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Dawn. This is a product of my warped mind. It will probably go in my second book.

reply by Dawn Munro on 30-Oct-2023

Super! :)

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

Congratulations on your milestone post, Paul. And what a fine narrative ballad this is.

You told a unique story in excellent metre and rhyme and all based on a Halloween theme.

I wish you great luck with the Contest Committee with this gem. :)

Gloria

 Comment Written 29-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Gloria. There really is a race track in Union, Maine on route seventeen. I'll have to go over tomorrow night to see if they are racing.

Comment from GWHARGIS

Excellent

This was such a great use of imagination. I love the unique setting of a horse track. The first part was just a story of a horse that beat the odds then paid the ultimate price. Only then did you slide into the Halloween aspect of the poem. Masterfully written. Gretchen

 Comment Written 29-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Gretchen. I have lost a fair bit of money over the years at that race track.

Comment from Gillian Berg Vogt

Excellent

Great concept! Good rhythm, loved the image of the "fans" cheering on the ghostly racers and their going down where they had died in life. Favourite line: "finished dead first". A great read!

 Comment Written 29-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Gillian. I have bet on a few that have finished "dead last".

Comment from Wendyanne

Excellent

I enjoyed your very entertaining piece of well written poetry very much. I can picture the scene with the horses so sadly dying and later on returning as ghost horses with other characters too. Well done.

 Comment Written 29-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Wendyanne. I use to go to that track at fair time, and I have bet on a few losers.

Comment from Rachelle Allen

Excellent

This was Phantom-tastic!! (like what I did there, Paul?...) I totally enjoyed this story/poem. What perfect unforced rhyming you did from beginning to end, and your rhythms were flawless, as well. Thank you for this delightful Halloween treat!! I hope it's in the Winner's Circle!!! xoxox

 Comment Written 29-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Rachelle. I did like that play on words.

Comment from Ulla

Excellent

Hi Paul, this a great wee Halloween tale within your wonderfully written poem. What a great tale to share with us. I loved it. I can just imagine it all. All the best of luck. Ulla:)))

 Comment Written 29-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Ulla. Is Halloween a big event in Europe?

Comment from gramalot8

Excellent

What a fun Halloween story in your poem. I loved how you based it on a real race track.
Good for old Ned Magee and his ghostly horse, Phantom. I can definitely see all those Halloween characters cheering them onto one more dead-headed race!
Thanks for sharing this with us and good luck in the contest.

 Comment Written 29-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Gram. It sounds like you may have visited the Union trace track.

Comment from Alexandra Trovato

Excellent

Congratulations on your milestone post! :)) This is excellent work for the challenge. Your presentation is very good. You use expressive words and colorful imagery that readers will like. .

Best wishes,

Alexandra

 Comment Written 29-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Alexandra. Many times I have sat in that grandstand and cheered on my pick. Not too many winners.

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

Excellent! That horse really went for it, and gave its all. So many horses die when racing, so I could see all those there and racing once again. The ghosts of the race track. This was really well written, the rhyme was perfect and the tale was fabulous. Well done and good luck in the contest. :)) Sandra xx

 Comment Written 29-Oct-2023

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reply by the author on 30-Oct-2023

Thanks, Sandra. Unfortunately, many horses do die while racing. One of the drawbacks in that sport.