Headless horseman

a man killed in battle, a ghost
doomed to ride through foreign lands–

or a demon, a dark fairy, calling the name of those
about to die–
perhaps he is Death himself—

perhaps he rides, not only a horse, but a donkey, or camel,
or he may travel on foot, or rumble on a motorcycle—

no need for a helmet–
he holds his head at his side,

if he summons you, ignore him, look away–
no one lives who sees his face.

Paul Brookes is hosting a month-long ekphrastic challenge using folklore images to celebrate the launch of his new poetry collection, “As Folktaleteller.” You can see the images here and also read the other responses.