Nightmares

In the darkest part of night, I woke from the house of Hell, 

stared up at the ceiling and watched the butterflies swell, 

fluttering and muttering worries with each beat of wing, 

calling out for Lord Winter to give way to Lady Spring, 

but the obtrusive nightmares stubbornly clung to the walls,

clawed terrifying threats about my deepest downfalls,

unstitching memories best left in their iron tombs,  

and extracted the child of agony from her mother's womb, 

a twin reflection of my private self crying at the world, 

a small, fragile morsel with head tucked and body curled, 

held over me by the draping arms of demonic shadows,

cackling at my widened eyes and sweat-streaked clothes, 

with the tails of their spectral forms wagging in delight,

spinning typhoons between the parapets of northerly fright,

piercing through the quilt pulled down against my chest, 

reaching into my bones like a murderous pest,

stabbing acutely into the marrow of everything I've known,

until I heaved, heaved in final desperation "Leave me alone!"

Reviews

[LeslieNoel]

I absolutely love this poem!! It so accurately depicts what my nights can be like when the nightmares reign supreme! It really makes you feel as if the reader is living the nightmare along with you.

[Kay]

Thank you very much Leslie! Hope those nightmares stay away. =)

[Chris Shaw]

Your nightmare experience was pretty scary. So descriptive full of dark and terrifying imagery. I used to have nightmares similar when younger, but now dream much more pleasantly. I think you have a wonderful imagination.

Chris

[Kay]

Thank you very much! It's great to hear that you dream better these days, nightmares can make you feel completely robbed of sleep [¬º-°]¬

[Lyanth]

I've had nightmares and night terrors since I was able to dream.
All my life, 90% of what I see at night is horrific, often scary and leaves me gasping awake at ungodly hours. Lately I've gotten so used to it I almost don't feel the fear anymore. I still gasp awake in shock whenever I die, but for the most part It's become the normal. I do remember how I used to feel however and your words have captured it perfectly. Very well written and so relatable. Smooth flow, great grammar and use of wording. Thank you for sharing.

[Kay]

That seems so familiar to my situation, I really appreciate you being open to share your experience. One of the worst feelings I'd get from nightmares is that period of time it takes to realize the difference between what was a dream and what is real. Even though it didn't actually happen, you can FEEL all of the agony as if it had and it sucks. Sorry you've had to go through that too, I know just how stressful it can be. Thank you for your compliments by the way, it means a lot. =) I look forward to reading your writing as well!

[Lyanth]

It was a pleasure. Yes, I feel pain for up to a minute after I wake at times and it is very much real. It does suck, but we will survive I suppose. It just makes our nights a little more "adventurous" to say the least ;)
I wish you the best.
Lyanth

[Kay]

Haha, "adventurous".. I love that ≧◡≦ . It's a great positive perspective to tell myself in the morning. Same to you, feel free to message any time!

[Lyanth]

:) It is what I tell people. My dreams are like James Bond movies with a Steven King twist, my family complains that they always have boring dreams and mine are so intense lol, if only they knew. Thank you and sake to you, my message box is open any time for anything.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

An elegant and eloquent, descriptive depiction of the nightmare. Chilling in places and reminds me that I often have them myself. Nicely written indeed!

[Kay]

Thank you very much! =)