LAST RIDE

LAST RIDE

Do not open the door

If you would look upon hell

Just spy the ridge

Above the cactus, below the cordite sun

Do you see it?

The pale horse

And Pandora raises the lid

But you would have to be

A contortionist

Of silken quality

If you would carry on

One more day

Mountains squish beneath

Sacrilegious hoofs

The pale horse

Do you see it?

Across Styx, preceding eternity

Play your last ace

If you would look upon hell

Then open the door

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Comments: 33

a hamon Jul 5, 2010, 9:51pm UTC

all i can say is "wow"

reply to this comment

Sharon P. Jul 5, 2010, 10:00pm UTC

Good poem, but if you want that door open, you do it.

reply to this comment

Gerald_Waving my Freak-flag High Brewster Jul 5, 2010, 10:18pm UTC

You know what sound you can expect to hear from the Pale Horse, don't you, Robert?
Death Sound

Robert - just a simple man - B. Jul 6, 2010, 10:14am UTC

Cool Gerald. That was awesome.

reply to this comment

Barbara S. Jul 5, 2010, 10:43pm UTC

Reminds me somewhat of a dream I had right after Daddy died,when I was five. I missed him so.
I had a dream, or a vision, I don't know. I was walking down thhis long dimly lit hallway that had doors on both sides; what we would recognize as a hotel, today.
I heard Daddy talking behind one of the doors. I tried to turn the doorknob when I heard him say, "Don't open the door". I tried to open it again and he spoke more sternly, "Don't open the door!" What would have happened if I had opened the door? Would I be 'n heaven or hell?I've wondered about this 58 years. It's as plain as if it were yesterday.
Send me a personal message if you have an idea, please?
Your surrogate Mom

Robert - just a simple man - B. Jul 6, 2010, 9:28pm UTC

This is so surreal, the dream, the poem, the irony of the connection. If you had open the door maybe a poet would have come riding in on a pale horse. Then you'd have to decide (as in Hotel California) if it were Heaven or Hell.

WOW, on the comment.

reply to this comment

Shira C. Jul 5, 2010, 10:48pm UTC

"the cordite sun" -- that's gonna stick with me. I like the way you have revealed the mythical beneath the ordinary.

Thanks for posting this to The Surreal Circus!

reply to this comment

William Dotani Jul 5, 2010, 11:02pm UTC

The strikes me as a warning to not act in haste in your own life or in judgment of others. Your verse has splendid imagery.

reply to this comment

Randi Burnham-Brown Jul 5, 2010, 11:27pm UTC

Will I happen to like the pic!

Robert - just a simple man - B. Jul 6, 2010, 10:12am UTC

I was just trying to imagine John-the-Revelator as a cowboy and what his prophecy would have sounded like then.

Randi Burnham-Brown Jul 6, 2010, 5:22pm UTC

I Got It

reply to this comment

tame mainstay Jul 6, 2010, 1:59am UTC

Fascinating poem, Robert, and doubly so, given the dream of your surrogate mom. tame

reply to this comment

Karolyn Q. Jul 6, 2010, 6:06am UTC

This was very good Robert.

reply to this comment

Kushal Poddar Jul 6, 2010, 10:28am UTC

The pale horse is palpable. It rides through my heart, stamples it. Amazing and deeple sad. Brother, don't worry.
Asylum of dust

reply to this comment

Angela A. Jul 6, 2010, 1:45pm UTC

Nope, don't see a horse anywhere. But, thanks for asking. Lol!

Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!

Make your own banner at MyBannerMaker.com!

Robert - just a simple man - B. Jul 6, 2010, 1:57pm UTC

you're weird.

Angela A. Jul 6, 2010, 2:54pm UTC

Nope not weird, just answering the question in the poem here:
Do you see it?

The pale horse

Robert - just a simple man - B. Jul 6, 2010, 3:33pm UTC

Yes, during my exile on Patmos I did see it.

Angela A. Jul 7, 2010, 12:54pm UTC

Well, good for you. :>

reply to this comment

Chas Andrews Jul 6, 2010, 3:05pm UTC

Interesting mythological imagery. I liked it.

Thanks for checking out The Big Adios

-Chas

reply to this comment

Dennis Gilman Jul 6, 2010, 3:50pm UTC

The 4th horseman.

Robert - just a simple man - B. Jul 6, 2010, 9:30pm UTC

Are you suggesting I need to write of the other three. I think I'll leave them to the Revelator.

reply to this comment

Richard Lynn Livesay Jul 6, 2010, 6:05pm UTC

and please don't deal me an ace and eight of spades for the pale horse awaits outside the saloon! Bury me with my boots on and don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys!

enjoyed the mix, O' bard of western religion

Robert - just a simple man - B. Jul 6, 2010, 9:30pm UTC

That put a smile in my day: "O' bard of western religion"

reply to this comment

Charis R. Jul 6, 2010, 8:46pm UTC

I think I will leave the door shut, but thanks! Great writing once again!

Robert - just a simple man - B. Jul 6, 2010, 9:31pm UTC

Thank you sweetie.

reply to this comment

Kasey Klein Jul 7, 2010, 5:25am UTC

We think we can open the door, just a crack and take a peek. . .

nicely rendered.

Thanks for posting to Short Story and More!

Read my novel FREE!

reply to this comment

ann c. Jul 7, 2010, 10:31am UTC

Isn't it time you did a "happy" poem?

Robert - just a simple man - B. Jul 7, 2010, 10:43am UTC

I thought my "wedding vows" was happy (it's in my spotlight) but, for you, I'll see about a hip hip slap-happy choke-on-the-snail type happy poem.

(choke-on-the-snail? don't ask, no idea, the words just popped out)