UNUSUAL SLUMBER

spider webs...dark..

UNUSUAL SLUMBER

 

Prior to our usual slumber

We squabble, our mouths stretch

Our nostril’s spread like the wings of a crow

Our vocals like the screams of an owl

Unimaginable to reconcile

We dwell on opposite sides of the mattress

Still hesitant to harmonize

He beds down at once

My heart still angers

Until in time my eyes seal tight

 

I now lodge in a dark abyss

Walls cloaked with black widow spiders

My lover, angry at my behavior

Thrusts me into such a dreadful hole

The floor, cold as mud earth

Stinks like fresh death

He hides somewhere

As I can hear his snorts and cackles

I see a blur of doors, most likely locked

In time, those wicked spiders begin to eat at my flesh

I scream, an explosion of echoes

Fight though the webs

I see my lover coated in blood

I fumble and faint

 

I awaken with a jolt

As a streak of sun peeks through the blinds

My breath heavy, expose my eyes

To discover an empty void alongside me.

 

 

 

Author's Note

Thank you for reading

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Now this is a nightmare if ever there was one Betty. Some pretty scary imagery here and emotions too. Always make up an argument before bedtime. That's what my mum and dad said to both me and my siblings. A good read dear poet.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear Chris for a true and lovely review; some of it is pretty scary....
Best, B

[alanwgraham]

Brilliant Betty. In sure your poem will ring bells with many. You have delivered a feast of magnificent metaphors. In sure you had fun writing th is.
Well done,
Alan

[Betty Hermelee]

Excellent review Alan, and thank you do much dear poet!
Best, B

[Andrew John]

Oh, what a terrible, empty void. Nicely put, Betty.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Andrew!
Best. Betty

[cheyenne s garcia]

So beautifully written, I loved it. Great description and vision for this piece. Well done. Hope to see more from you.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Cheyenne, much appreciated!!!
Best, B.

[cheyenne s garcia]

You are welcome.

[Temperance]

I always say, never go to bed angry....even if it takes all night to resolve differences. Quite a brutal dream you described. Somewhat heartbreaking and sad waking to an empty void along side of the speaker. This poem moved me, in not a great way but, I think it's great! Thank you for sharing. Temp

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Temp, for a thoughtful review
Best. B!

[Temperance]

You’re welcome.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Wow, visceral and emotionally harrowing a vision painted in this remarkable piece. It left me with a profound guilt at the arguments I had with past loves. I feel I would rather go through Dante's inferno than ever make a woman feel this type of melancholy. It truly is heartbreaking. A powerful piece of poetry B. And a great addition to your library of work. Which I enjoy reading immensely.

[Betty Hermelee]

WOW!!!! what an amazing review Carlos...I thank you so very much!
Best, B

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Betty… I wonder…. do Butterflies have nightmares when the emerge from their
Cocoon… ? gently, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Whose to know? they can't speak to us! Thank you Pat, much appreciated.
Best, B.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Betty… I have personally been through Nightmares in real Life; however I survived and today early evening after a down pour of Rain… I saw a beautiful 🌈 Rainbow about eight pm in Virginia by the Rappahannock River… on August 22, 2022 Monday evening… God’s Promise… Be blessed. With ❤️ love. Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

me, as well Pat... but we need to think of beauty in life, as well... Thank you for that lovely comment....
With love, B

[Vertigo Cat1111]

This is an absolutely wicked, eerie poem that’s amazing. The way you describe the fighting the yelling, it feels so grotesque and scary like in a nightmare, that was captured perfectly. Those nights after a bad fight, oh, boy, there’s definitely unusual nightmares. Always an odd nights sleep afterwards. And sometimes the dreams can make the fight only seem worse, proof to how mean how minds can be, lol. This poem really soaks you in its story and by the time it’s over, you can’t help but wanna see what happens next. Another wonderful piece with excellently written visuals. Thank you for sharing!

[Betty Hermelee]

WOW!!! another amazing review Cat, and much appreciated!!!
Best, B.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Yes, going to bed angry or fighting can lead to these kinds of nightmares...
they say we will not do something in our dreams that we would not do in real life.

I really wonder if that is true.

thought provoking, very dark write....
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

I like your analysis!!!
Thank you so much J.
Best, B

[John the Baptist]

Well, I have heard it said you shouldn't go to bed angry. Here is verification of that folk wisdom. The dreams were bad enough, but waking up alone puts the head on the beer. Better to make up before snoozing, even if it feels like lying.

[Betty Hermelee]

Yes, tis true, but this was just a dream...should make up before slumber! Thank you John.
Best, B