PAINTED GRIMACE

In my dream

shrouded in a blue web

tethered to a knot of thorns

torment runs through my veins

I fail to entrust him straightaway

a swindler I would say

he dupes while playing a sugary hand

his grimace is fully painted

smells of immorality

 

Must shelter my core

shear the knot

then crawl through the web of revilement

bathe myself in warm water with

rose petals and lavender

plus relinquish his heart down to the bones

 

I awaken cloaked with sweat

a waterfall of droplets on my sheet

peace within me now

Author's Note

photo by dreamstime.com

Reviews

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

I'm drawn to the theme of self-discovery and the resolve to cleanse oneself of negativity symbolized by shedding the tangled knot and bathing in rose petals and lavender.👏🏻

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your lovely review
Warmly, B

[Writer at last! Sky ~]

Don't worry Betty its just a dream but you crafted a beautiful poem PAINTED GRIMACE out of it. Peace within you peaceful for readers too. Dreams can be scarry too!

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for your lovely review!
Much appreciated
Warmly, B

[Writer at last! Sky ~]

Welcome Betty!

[Arundass TP]

Beautiful dreams. Once I jumped into vast ocean in a dream. And I felt walking nude in some galaxy.....even now I think of that dream. Good poem

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you TP for a fine review
Warmly, B

[emmajoygreen]

Such an intense poem, such an intense and visual dream. Tis almost a scream of terror hiding in each of its corners. There is creeping dread in every phrase, there is darkness and fear walking side by side
'Must shelter my core
shear the knot
then crawl through the web of revilement
bathe myself in warm water with
rose petals and lavender
plus relinquish his heart down to the bones'

More: here above you are sharing a torment of mind and - an instinctive need to protect the very spirit your would protect with your life. As often, your words are set beyond belief. Seems the mind will and MUST ultimately expose pain and/or. explode - as the dreamer has above. Nobody knows everything, we are only human, even the kindest and/or the seemingly pleasant people.. can be evil and threatening. Do we evade people, do we suspect everyone, do we withdraw from society - in case? Or do we take chances and then -. be near destroyed by what we discover and how we can be treated .

Your dream is best shared, outed and as quickly and possibly destroyed by the light of disclosure.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear EM for your interesting interpretation, very intuitive….sending hugs
Warmly, B

[John the Baptist]

Sometimes dreams can act as messengers from hidden portions of our minds. These higher levels of consciousness can tell us when we are in danger and what we can do about it. Lincoln had a number of such dreams in the months before his assassination, but he seems to have also had a rather fatalistic attitude.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you John for a fine review
Warmly, B.

[Dave Brown]

As I get older my interesting dreams increase but I doubt I will have one as extremely well presented as this,
Also, I'm inclined to think your usage of vocabulary is as well presented as any I read and certainly well above what I struggle to offer.
Unsurprisingly, this is another little beauty, with the "Sugary hand" commentary winning the, (valued far and wide) poetic heartbeat of the year award ......!!!))))
I'll have to slip that into one of my struggling offerings one day in the hope I am not discovered.
BTW, I hope you like dogs because if I and my darling wife of 57 yrs. (we hadn't heard of divorce back then) are ever road tripping over Black Mountains way, which I had previously swore to do on my Great Grandmother's grave (she was a painter living in Scotland) we will surely drop by to compare reviews, that is if my 2002 Safari van would make it that far......!!!!))))
Have a lovely rest of the day BESTB

[Betty Hermelee]

What a complimentary and understanding review and I always appreciate your comments….
Warmly, B

[Betty Hermelee]

I mean BESTB!

[Chris Shaw]

A dream that would have terrified me dear Betty , given me the mares. That feeling of claustrophobia , being trapped and not being able to escape from impending doom. Word choice is excellent, visuals amazing. A super write.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks so much Chris, a fine review as always..
Happy Thursday!
Warmly, B

[Neville]

.. reads like a nightmare but then, it dawned on me .. one mans dream, might well be another mans poison .. yet there is so much of it about these days .. immorality, I mean .. take care what you sip until they give the all clear .. but in the meantime, I wish you only the very best of all good things Betty .. Neville

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Neville for a very astute review, much appreciated
Warmly, B

[Neville]

You are more than welcome Betty, my pleasure entirely. Truly, N

[jacob erin-cilberto]

takes some effort to find that peace...but worth it.
Grimace is my second favorite word in he English language...great to use it in your title.
Love the line "then crawl through the web of revilement" that whole stanza is money.
the entire poem is.
j.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you dear J for a grimacing great review, much appreciated!
Wanly, B

[Soren]

The symbols in this poem evoke many thoughts and the feeling of having passed through a very disagreeable situation that needs cleansing. Full of imagery it also seems a great metaphor. Very nice.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you Soren for an understanding review, always
Warmly, B