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

[John the Baptist]

Not sure if the images in this one are symbolic or whether they are the recounting of an actual event. Nightmares can be terrifying, and that black framed painting seems to be a death symbol. The out of control cart may indicate a feeling of loss of control in life, and the last stanza is a clear statement of the fear of death. Makes me thankful I seldom remember my dreams.

[Chris Shaw]

I suffered real mares as a child, some of them never forgotten. Have no idea where they came from or what they mean. The picture on the wall was a harmless pastoral scene,yet it came to life and frightened me. Thank you John for your visit.

Chris

[Mauricio Montoya]

I fear what I fear what I can't see yet I see you've place where we are blind of we not know. Thank you for sharing.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mauricio for your visit and for sharing your thoughts on this write. All good wishes.
read moreThank you Mauricio for your visit and for sharing your thoughts on this write. All good wishes.

Chris

[willweb]

Such a vivid and frightening scene you have created and it seems, from actually happenings. So it would seem it is still locked inside but you have it set to only appear in the daylight. Love your descriptive phrasing on this, it had me shivering

[Chris Shaw]

Nightmares as a child, still remembered though the fear has gone. Thank you will fir the read.

Chris

[Ciara]

No child should have to suffer night terrors.
But I wonder if we know on some level when something in life is not right and if what is unspoken in life manifests in dreams.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Ciara. I have no idea what caused my mares. I also had a terrible fear of Mickey Mouse and would see his head grinning at me on the bedroom wall. He terrified me:) Pleased to say no further nares after the age of 11. All good wishes.

Chris

[Ciara]

I'm happy to hear that you are cured. :)

[Samuel Dickens]

I felt your fear, for I was like that, too. Monstrous eyes peered down at me through cracks in the ceiling, etc. Was there turmoil in your life at the time? Children's dreams shouldn't be like that. Fine writing as always.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Sam, so you too as a kid had mares. Nothing at all was going on at the time. I was lucky and had a very happy childhood. I just had awful dreams. Hope you are well and so thank you for checking in. You are appreciated.

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

at least your brother slept through it...but tough for you to have that scary nightmare and have to worry about both of you.
Did you ever find out who was driving the cart?
dreams become so real sometimes.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks J. I had terrible nightmares as a young child. By the time I was 11, they had gone. The horse and cart operated of their own volition. Never any people in this dream. My brother always slept soundly through everything:)

Chris