I stumbled on this opening that I churned out to a longer form poem – I’ll probably add to it and edit it as time goes on, but here’s just the beginning…<\/p>\n
I came upon a solitary steed,<\/span><\/p>\n Though in itself not a peculiar sight,<\/span><\/p>\n It was of gentle stand and healthy breed,<\/span><\/p>\n And harnessed full, ‘though middle of the night.<\/span><\/p>\n I circled twice upon my weary mare,<\/span><\/p>\n In seeking signs of owner, or of plot,<\/span><\/p>\n But saw I ambush none, and man nowhere,<\/span><\/p>\n And answers to my calling, came there not.<\/span><\/p>\n I sidled up beside the lonesome beast,<\/span><\/p>\n And through its reigns I looped a length of rope,<\/span><\/p>\n Though loose enough should it need be released,<\/span><\/p>\n In case he gallop \u2018gainst my gentle lope.<\/span><\/p>\n A mile or two along the beaten road,<\/span><\/p>\n A toll house stood upon a river’s ridge,<\/span><\/p>\n My new companion had my progress slowed;<\/span><\/p>\n I had not time to seek another bridge.<\/span><\/p>\n I rang a bell that startled quite the boy,<\/span><\/p>\n Who from his duty had succumbed to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n He whispered not to ring as to deploy<\/span><\/p>\n His master who still slumbered in his keep.<\/span><\/p>\n I asked him if familiar he were<\/span><\/p>\n With my new travelling companion,<\/span><\/p>\n Quick was this opportunistic young sir,<\/span><\/p>\n To claim the beast as his own stallion.<\/span><\/p>\n I laughed and told the servant boy to quit;<\/span><\/p>\n He had no claim to own, and I could tell.<\/span><\/p>\n And for his cheek to try out-do my wit,<\/span><\/p>\n I’d ring his master down with clanging bell.<\/span><\/p>\n The boy, a-turning pale and pallid hue,<\/span><\/p>\n Was fast to lift the gate upon the road,<\/span><\/p>\n Apologizing for his misdeeds few,<\/span><\/p>\n And that was that; I passed the small abode.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I stumbled on this opening that I churned out to a longer form poem – I’ll probably add to it and edit it as time goes on, but here’s just the beginning… I came upon a solitary steed, Though in itself not a peculiar sight, It was of gentle stand and healthy breed, And harnessed