The phantom stood before me, cloaked.
Diaphanous sables wrapped
Around him, trapped
My eyes, revoked
A state non-rapt.
The staring snapped
When pause evoked
Alarm. His glove
Was sudden, choked
My only love.
"I'll lend her to the sky," he said,
Then lifted her by the nape.
"That height will rape
Delusion dead.
She can't escape;
You'll have to scrape
The flesh I spread
Upon the ground
To clean what's shed
From body downed."
Her heels moved up a fraction. Sleeve
Was instantly torn by blade.
I'm so afraid
Of how I'll grieve
That tendons frayed
Were fast okayed.
A chance to cleave
Dismembered arm,
Gave quick reprieve
From phantom's harm.
AAAAH! This one is so creepy/scary....but that is never a bad thing in poems.
ReplyDeleteWhat's that saying about cutting off the limb to save the patient? I also thought about the story behind 127 Hours (the man who had to cut off his arm when he was trapped under a rock while hiking).
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ReplyDeletethematically, this one's different. that edgy brooding angry voice replaced by one with enigma, fear and anxiety.loved it.
ReplyDeletethere was a mistake in my last comment.hence the removal.
Darkly wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAnna :o]
And he goes unscathed, poor woman.
ReplyDeleteHalloween comes early this year! Owooooo....
ReplyDeleteI love how you weave a tale with your unique rhythm and rhyme, very halloweenish.
ReplyDeleteHauntingly well written, though I will admit I am a bit freaked by the dismemberment.
ReplyDeleteThis is one for delivery from the stage. Drama and strength in the phrases - but they'll need a beer break afterwards.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely achieved a theme of darkness. Yes, this one would read wonderfully from the stage.
ReplyDeleteDeliciously dark... yet beautiful...
ReplyDelete"I'll lend her to the sky," he said"
although a terrible threat, still a promise of something different...
Jack, again I am caught in this word weaved world of darkness and action you have created. Outstanding!
ReplyDeleteHow darkly dramatic. You wrote this well weaving in just the right amount of 'scariness'.
ReplyDeleteI am a sucker for the tendons fraying, and the need to cleave--great write Jack
ReplyDeleteI paused to appreciate your use of form in this piece: it reads as free verse, but I note a consistency in your syllable count which gives an interesting frame to your ideas. I'm in awe of your perfect rhymes too.
ReplyDelete