Night Fright

(night time terrors)

somehow in my sleepless state
in the warm comfort of a darkened room
memories unwind like a reel
of fine cotton twine

back to primary years
to tears in bed when fears took over
as a black framed painting on a papered wall
of a grey shire horse harnessed to an old cart

captured my vivid imagination
as the rickety wheels started to move
by slow degrees at first till horse hooves
gathered pace

down the muddy country track
thundering in my direction the race was on
as I screamed out shouting for mum
to come and save us

from the pending carnage
as the out of control cart was about
to fall from the wall and land
where my brother lay sleeping

beside me oblivious to the danger
his curly haired head on a white pillow
while weeping me in night light shadow
foresees our death

Reviews

[lightsong]

That what I admire about You, You can write about ANYTHING in that master evoking way. This reminded me when I was little and I used to fear a lot for my little brother, that sometimes I woke up in the night and cry for mom that he didn't do his homework lol. such innocence, yet such responsibility.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear lightsong, many thanks for your response. Sorry for not giving my thanks sooner. Have a lovely weekend my friend.

Chris

[Fabian G. Franklin]

I enjoyed reading this. It reminded me of a movie I saw somewhere when a painting came to life. Ah, I remember... Portal to Narnia where the sea painting floods the house. There's been so many references in books to that happening, especially horror novels. A great read from your active imagination.

[Miss Sharon]

This is exquisite writing my friend! Your imagery is heart-stopping. I love this one. ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you dear Sharon for your lovely review. Pleased you stopped by.

Chris

[JD Major]

Ah, yes, childhood night-terrors, I'd all but forgotten them, replaced now with night-regrets unwinding like a reel of barbed wire (to steal your poetic imagery). Thank goodness for dawnings! As always, Chris, your writes are well-worth unreeling :)

[Chris Shaw]

You are too kind by far. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my efforts.

Chris

[W. Barrett Munn]

Wonderfully creative memorial to what I presume is memory. A lot of emotion felt.

Winston

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Winston fir stopping by to share your thoughts. All the best.

Chris

[Chris Shaw]

Oops typos, sorry

[Soren]

A vivid imagination fortified by the ambiguities of shadow, darkness, and sleepiness can be terrifying. Such a nice portrayal of this state where one feels out of control and panic sets in.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Soren. So appreciate you stopping by. Have a good weekend.

Chris

[Ken e Bujold]

ring of the old time fairy tale here Chris. suspense had me gamboling along. but i suspect i am more like your brother, ghosts exist in my mind, but not in reality.

have yourself a grand day

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Ken for stopping by. Have yersejf a grand day.

Chris

[Temperance]

Dearest Chris, I've been away from the cafe for a while, only checking in on brief occasions, but thought I would take a peek this morning and, check in on one of my favorite poets. Oh my, what a frightful experience for a youngster to face. Such a great job, as usual, in bringing this event to life and, helping us to experience the occurrence as you may have done so. I remember my scream waking me but, not the dream that caused it. It was usually one of those screams that took forever to be able to voice with sound. Not having a voice is a nightmare in itself. I enjoyed this read, Ms. Chris. Thank you for sharing. Temp

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Temp, lovely to have a visit from you. Thank you so much. Pleased to see you again after a break. Hope all is well with you. Sending all good wishes.

Chris

[Temperance]

Thank you!

[Einstein Noodle]

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayi yi .. how your poem remembers such youngsters nightmares and vivd imaginings ... how most certainly we have all had them .. inspiring imagery and setting of the scene, Chris. well done in my opinion ... the empathy for this curly headed brother blissfully ignorant is sublime .. closing lines are as shocking a halt to your scene as is our pending deaths .. one and all. ... one hopes it does not catch us be surprise .. at least for me ... I would rather be standing to face and welcome it than to be blind sided ... really enjoyed the trip reading "Night Fright"
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Mr E, a huge thank you for your visit and your thoughts on my night terrors. Thankfully they stopped when I reached the age of eleven.. Can still remember the impact though. Not a pleasant experience :) So pleased you stopped by and sending you lots of warm wishes across the pond on a cold day.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

back at ya Chris .. with hugs of appreciation

[DIVYA]

memories unwind like a reel
of fine cotton twine

such finely woven imagery....

My heart would be thudding and pounding away in that nightmare and the escape into reality is so comforting and reassuring! Wonderfully narrated, dear Chris! Loved it.

[Chris Shaw]

Thankfully DIVYA, the night terrors stopped when I was eleven. I really suffered though., while my siblings slept soundly :))pleased you enjoyed the read dear friend. All good wishes winging their way to you.

Chris

[DIVYA]

Thanks dear Chris and wishing you a brand new and very beautiful week!

[Neville]

I felt a shiver run up and down my spine as I first read these words .. uncannily similar to some kind of hypnagogic experience or hallucination that I myself had whilst my brother lay sleeping in the next bed to me .......... having now got that out into the open, I can see where & why the poet in you felt compelled to poem the whole sequence of events ......... Neville

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Neville. The picture came alive and I saw the horse and cart pick up speed. It was terrifying. I also used to see Mickey Mouse on the bedroom wall. He completely freaked me out :) How strange you should experience similar. I’d like to think we were special rather than bonkers:)) I appreciate you .

Chris