Of Shadows and Crows

A pseudo ode and a symbolic cry for help from a dissociated and traumatised mind.

The shadows, the shadows sing

Telling me to wait for you

What portends do these shadows bring

They leave my mind in two

Broken wings and shattered glass

Stains the white walls blue

Stringing me up on rusted pipes

Playing me for a fool

But every night I turn

Coming unglued again

Every night I run

Into you my very veins

Don't look away with bloody eyes

As often singing shadows do

Flood my mind with all your lies

You know that I want you to

Carry on with what you do

Break me upon the floor

Kiss me till I ask you who

Is that crow by the door

Yet every night I burn

Shadows on my face

And every night I sing

About a lover's embrace

But every night I dream

Reaching for your golden hand

Every night I scream

Hoping the world would end

Reviews

[Glen Yumang Manese]

The mood and pace of this... the reader gets engulf with the whole verse... the agony is intense and never let's go with the thought as one takes in each stanza... The opening grabs and the rest gives this verse depth...

[Writer #00]

Hmmmmmmmmm...I'm still mulling over this because it is quite intricate. It reminds me somewhat of 'The Raven', but that's probably just because it uses birds associated with death and love in the same poem. : ) Well, while I'm contemplating this poem, I would like to compliment you on your use of language and the grim imagery (ha, grimagery) you convey through it. I particularly enjoyed the "Flood my mind with all your lies/ You know that I want you to/ Carry on with what you do" part as the sentence seems to end in the middle line and a new one begin there, as well. I suppose the shadows could represent a shadow of the narrator from its past (I shall dub the narrator Jamie) as Jamie may have loved at some point in this past, but decided to forsake it or something happened in which the lover (dubbed Jordan) had to be left. Now, it seems that Jamie feels regret (or guilt, depending) at leaving Jordan. The regret/guilt (perhaps the 'you'...I imagined it a giant Crow) abuses Jamie in multiple ways, namely depression and suicide, and Jamie desires this abuse as atonement for what it regrets. The third stage to Jamie, I'd say, is its longing to relive the love the shadow of himself sings of, of course this cannot be done and Jamie finds itself wanting the pain, regret, atonement, longing, loneliness--all of it--to simply end. I have to admit I may have been stretching the meaning of your poem, but well written anyhow; I thoroughly enjoyed it. : )

[Christopher Angel]

Or perhaps the narrator is seriously dissociating from reality :D I enjoyed your analysis - it never amazes me how people perceive things so differently and I take great joy in reading your views on it. I'd say you kinda hit the nail on the head with your understanding of the meaning and I now have a favorite word - grimagery!

Thank you for reviewing :)

[Writer #00]

No problem, I thought this dissociation may have been another abuse the Crow may've been inflicting upon Jamie. Grimagery isn't actually a word, sadly, but maybe it'll become one if enough people use it. hmmm... : )

[Christopher Angel]

Abuse is certainly part of it, in that you are right.

Ah grimagery. Sounds like a plan does it not?

[MrRobato]

I really like it! I can't put in words why exactly but i think it's amazing!

[Christopher Angel]

Thank you so much!

[Shane Mohamed]

This is well written. Very dreary and stark. The crow almost always symbolizes dismality and darkness. I would use New Times Roman for such poems. It gives it that classic, austere edge.

[Christopher Angel]

Thank you for your compliment. I did not realize I could change the fonts but I do agree with your explanation for it.