Written for dVerse Poetics: Hold Onto Your Head!
Today our host Merril invites us to share our version
of the Headless Horseman. This is my contribution.
In the dead of night, a legend rides,
The Headless Gunner, no head to hide.
Upon a Harley he roars with might,
With his Tommy Gun in the pale moonlight.
Through the mist and shadows he flies,
A phantom rider with fiery eyes.
A chilling sound, a haunting sight
With a dark revenge he rides tonight.
So beware, all ye who cross his path,
For the Headless Gunner wields his wrath.
A phantom rider on a mighty steed,
Forever cursed to fulfill his need.
NAR©2025
This is “Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner” by Warren Zevon
All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.
The Elephant's Trunk 
As long as he keeps that hoodie up, I’m happy to ride!
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I hear ya, Liz. One scary dude!
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Not a sight I’d like to see!
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Spooky, eh? We live about 20 minutes from Sleepy Hollow, the home of the original Headless Horseman. There’s a scare-fest going on almost every night this time of year.
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Ooo-errr!
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Wow! I think you are right – it’s scarier because you based your poem on real events.
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Yes, knowing my poem is based on real mercenaries in Africa makes it even more chilling. Very sad situation in the Congo. Thanks, Lisa.
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ha – a modern spin on an old tale.
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Yes, bringing it into the 21st century.
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Love it! How many horsepower?
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😂👍🏼😂
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Love it!
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Thanks very much! I appreciate you stopping by.
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I liked your poem, Nancy but this is clearly not the Sleepy Hollow version of the Headless Horseman that I am used to.
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Hahaha! No it’s not! We were asked to get creative with the theme, writing our own version of the Headless Horseman story, so I did exactly that. BTW I live very near to Sleepy Hollow and this time of year up there is fabulous!
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That sounds like a nice place to take your granddaughter to.
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Yes! We’ve taken the older three many times; now it’s Colette’s turn!
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Oh, this is so chilling! I don’t know why, but I find this headless gunner scarier than older legends on horseback. Well-done!
And the song–so sad that’s still a war-torn area.
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Thanks for your gracious comments, Merril. Knowing my poem is fiction but based on real events in a war torn country may be why it’s scarier. The world is a scary place right now.
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You’re welcome, Nancy.
The world is very scary right now.
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Nancy – great idea of a headless motorbike rider and brilliant track to accompany it too 🙌
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Thanks so much, Ange! I wanted to do something different and I was inspired by Warren Zevon’s great song. I glad to know you enjoyed my post today.
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A chilling tale.
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Thanks, Sadje. Knowing my fictional poem is based on real mercenaries in Africa makes it even more chilling.
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Yes, that is really sad
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A wondrously whimsical poem, backed up by Warren Zevon’s ‘dark humour’ song, Nancy …
Another one from Lake of Tears
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Thank you, my friend. I’m a big fan of Warren Zevon. I see you’re really into Lake of Tears. Enjoy the music! 🎶
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I just happened to be listening my Lake of Tears playlist, so you ended up with a few of their songs 🎶🌏😍
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And glad for it, too! 🥰🎶🌎
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It seems your sense of humour is as dark as Warren Zevon’s! There could only have been one song to go with that, couldn’t there 🤣
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Thank you, Clive. I’m a big fan of Warren Zevon so I take that as a compliment. You’re right …. not a whole lot of choices for a song today.
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So am I, and you should 👍
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Nancy, i thought of my daughter when i read this …she’d have been all ooohs and aaahs and sighs …🤭( 🤦♀️) …
you created an intriguing character…🤍
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Thanks for your beautiful comments, Destiny. I hope all is well with you. ☺️
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pleasure, Nancy… and thank you too…🤍🌷
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This is a great take on the prompt, Nancy, ‘the Headless Gunner, no head to hide’ – and on a Harley! The pace and rhymes work so well.
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Thanks so much, Kim. I wanted something different and Warren Zevon was a great inspiration for me.
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I love the modern touch, and finding the lyrics for that original… it made me think of the mercenaries that goes to war like flies that’s been part of human history for such a long time.
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That’s exactly what it’s based on. I’m pleased to know you enjoyed my Headless Gunner. Thanks, Björn.
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