Seeing the Light

Not everything is as black as it seems!

Darker poetry

written in the blackest style

may simply be an illusion;

a collection of emotions

and thoughts

plucked from within

a magician's hat

of words,

but which do not

hang around his shoulders

like a heavy cape

of doom.

 

04/11/20

Author's Note

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Great piece of free verse. Like how you have used the magician in this poem. My take on this is it's better to get those dark thoughts out, rather than to keep them within where they can fester and cause damage. Have a good Saturday John.

Chris

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thanks Chris. Aye my point was that often the dark thoughts are made up from experience or from observations etc and are not really those of the writer. Enjoy the day too Chris as it looks nice and may be the last for a while.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, I can understand that. And yes making the most of the lovely weather.

[Ookpik]

I’m reminded of a certain parable here, pertaining to books and covers - and appreciate the sentiment.

At times the darkest writings are acts of catharsis, and in others, explorations of the self that others dare not investigate.

I get a sense of Coleridge here, and wonder whether he himself wore an albatross about the neck.

Nice work, once again - enjoyed reading.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes I agree that often catharsis or desperate sadness or anger can drive dark writes. So many inks to writers. I often write simply from the bones I have collected along the way. Many thanks.

[Ookpik]

Bones along the way is a nice way to put it, many welcomes.

[light and ashes]

I think I agree. I love this.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you L&A

[light and ashes]

You are welcome :)

[AJNJ]

We humans are such complex beings with so much locked inside us. Heaven, hades, angels, devils and everything in between. It would be an oversight then to label a poet as just dark or black based on what he pulls out of his hat every now and then. Very well penned sir!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Indeed we are AJNJ and often our poetry is simply a soup made of words. Many thanks.

[AJNJ]

You're most welcome :)

[John the Baptist]

I have read of Mr Poe that part of the reason for his dark writings was simply because the reading public of his time really ate that stuff up. So his need to make a living may have motivated "The Fall of the House of Usher," etc. Of course he really did have his demons, too, so the two factors may have dovetailed.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes JTB there are a myriad of factors that affect and guide the writer and monetary gain is one of them. I suppose I see the great technical poets in this vein as they can write despite/without emotional stimulation. Many thanks as always sir for dropping by.

[duff]

I really like the level of intrigue and mystique penned. Enlightened we can shake the wrong and stroll right.
And love the RHCP. Flea is a legend.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

One of my favourite bands. Many thanks duff.

[Andrew Nelson Stewart]

For the poets have seen the truth that life, change, movement and insecurity are so many names for the same thing. Here, anywhere truth is beauty." Alan Watts said once. Here I felt the poet being widely illuminated in this poem as taking off the weights and being free yet freedom has a heavy cost to pay. You Get a lot of meanings here keep writing sincerely your friend in writing and life

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Yes indeed poets see many things, feel much, often insecurities and project them into their works. Many thanks for reading and for your support.

[Richard🖌]

Ahhh, my keen-minded Friend,

Such interesting conceptions you paint into our minds to ponder, and equally as interesting is your imagery in adjective metaphors, as: "plucked from within a magician's hat of words," and "which do not hang around his shoulders like a heavy cape of doom." Sheesh!
Artwork, title, and music choices, each add to the moment's enigmatic nuances.

You're a Free Verse wonder; of this, there is no doubt … thank you, John, for sharing another from your exemplary skill! ⁓ Richard 🍃

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ha Richard, you sweet talker you! But who am I to dissuade you lol. Many thanks and hope the election is not too traumatic for you.

[Richard🖌]

I'm not at all into the mindfulness of politics, My Friend … I objectively study the candidates closely and vote on thew individuals I believe will best serve the people and best benefit of our country and those our country effects … the rest I don't bother cluttering my mind with, even though, it can become ridiculously (if not insanely) entertaining, at times.

You're most welcome, John … I'm thoroughly enjoying your writings. : )

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I have carried that heavy cape around with me.
But luckily have been able to separate it enough from me most of the time...that life is still lots of fun...despite those drifts into madness.
j.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Totally and utterly agree with you Jacob, oh And I do so enjoy those moments of insanity, so liberating! Many thanks.

[Victim of cyber bully a..]

This is another a poem what I can relate . My words can be also bleak and gloomy but behind them is always spirit and desire for a light. I like how you use just few lines to clear up dark skies at our minds. Well done on this.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

It is good to relate. Glad you still share that desire for light. Many thanks.