Phantom Rider
Phantom Rider
The rain was relentless, one dark and thundery night,
Posse had killed my friend, forcing me into flight.
Pushing my mare hard, she faltered, almost went down,
Six deputies were on my trail, with no place to turn around.
When lightning lit the sky, I took the muddy draw,
Lightning flashed; Phantom Canyon was the only thing I saw.
With the law close behind me, I chose the canyon and its ghost,
Recalled the Phantom Rider tale, as I passed the canyon post.
Steep granite canyon walls were wet with the torrent of rain.
Must have caught a bullet, for my side was screaming with pain.
My horse, exhausted, stumbled and threw me to the ground.
Rolling to my feet, Colt pistol in hand, thunder was the only sound.
Ready to fight, but only darkness, pounding rain, nothing else, just me,
Phantom Rider, and the tales, had seemed to make the deputies flee.
Saddle bags full of the bank’s money, all of it was now mine,
The storm and the rain had drawn me to the canyon, as if by design.
Yelling, “Take that you son of a bitch” as I fired once into the air,
Thunder roared, and I saw the Phantom Rider in the lightning flare.
His red-eyed horse was black as night as he rode along the canyon rim,
Phantom Rider, rain slicker was dark and shiny, and I knew it to be him.
The tales of the Phantom, I now knew, to be true,
Phantom Rider of the canyon was one of the Devil’s crew.
Phantom turned and looked at me, eyes were ebony of the night.
The Rider rode the canyon trail down, keeping me in his sight.
Rider looked like the specter of death as he came near,
Close enough now, the rider smelled of death, as I trembled with fear.
The mare wore Satan’s brand, and her hooves were made of fiery steel,
The horse’s mane was black and shiny, and her hot breath I could feel.
My eyes blurred, my body burned, and my shirt soaked with blood and sweat,
Phantom Rider said, “You are already dead, son, and you just don’t know it yet.
You murdered, robbed, and raped, you never tried, to change your ways.
You are now a Phantom Rider for eternity. In this Devils Canyon you will stay.”
By Kurt James
Kurt James © 2022
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Born beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Colorado Rockies, Kurt James grew up surrounded by stories of ghost towns, outlaws, and frontier legends. Years in South Dakota and deep family roots in western Kansas gave him a lasting love for open skies and the rugged soul of the American West.
A poet and novelist, Kurt writes Western fiction and historical adventure with grit, realism, and heart. His work has been featured by the Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, and praised for capturing the spirit of the Old West in vivid, cinematic detail.
Author of more than twenty books, Kurt’s acclaimed Rocky Mountain Series brings the frontier to life through powerful storytelling and unforgettable landscapes. His upcoming novels—Reifschneider Stagecoach Detective and Winter of the Wolf Moon—continue that legacy.
Kurt James is a proud member of the Western Writers of America.
A poet and novelist, Kurt writes Western fiction and historical adventure with grit, realism, and heart. His work has been featured by the Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, and praised for capturing the spirit of the Old West in vivid, cinematic detail.
Author of more than twenty books, Kurt’s acclaimed Rocky Mountain Series brings the frontier to life through powerful storytelling and unforgettable landscapes. His upcoming novels—Reifschneider Stagecoach Detective and Winter of the Wolf Moon—continue that legacy.
Kurt James is a proud member of the Western Writers of America.
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A good western verse with a touch of the supernatural thrown in. An enjoyable read, Kurt.
Thanks, John, for stopping by my campfire for this tale. Much appreciated.
Wow! Tense and maddening for a man on the run from his crimes. Excellent piece, Kurt. Well done.
Thank you, Phyllis, for stopping by my campfire for a haunting tale.
Awe inspiring. I just got back from vacation to Colorado and passed by Elko Nevada on the way home. I pointed out the my teenager that the biggest cowboy poetry conference in America is in Elko once a year. I think I am going to go next chance I have and bring my son with me. Good job Kurt. Jamie
I have been to Elko a couple of times for the cowboy poetry – it is a lot of fun. You will love it. Thanks for your wonderful comment on this piece.
Whoa…Excellent Poem Tale. Man…I was getting worried while reading along about horse and rider through their escape through “Phantom Canyon”! Had a surprise ending in there as both met up with the “Phantom Rider”, but won’t give it away in the Comment Section. Only to say…all readers of this Tale will enjoy their Journey through the Canyon while “On-the-Run.” This would make a great tale to be put into a Western Movie.
Thank you, Steve. it was a lot of fun doing this piece –