The Enigmatic Empress

A poem for National Poetry Month, based on a vision I had that has stuck with me...and maybe partly inspired by a friend.

 

Utterly lost,

I wander into the

forbidden tunnel of mirrors.

 

They hang from every visible

Surface, showing different aspects

Of me, even those unknown to

The physical perceptions.

 

Fearful faces 

And illusory incubi

Emerge from the glass, taunting me

Until

She appears…

 

The enigmatic empress,

Cloaked in her transparent cape,

Meets me in the center of

The corridor, at first speaking

Foreign syllables,

Which seem indecipherable…

 

At that moment, scorpions

Of every species

Begin to emerge from the tunnel

Walls, gradually,

Soon amassing like a

Ferocious frontal assault,

With venomous stingers raised.

 

I try to pass through,

Reaching toward the

Empress, but to no avail,

And I am

Partially incapacitated

By the venom…

 

And yet, I perceive

Through my undescribable

Agony, the voice of the empress.

She says, “Do not fear.

The venom will not harm you.

You have the sacred weapon

Needed to defeat these

Scorpions…it is…”

But then she fades,

As does the tunnel of mirrors,

And I am left

Wondering, what the answer

May be…

 

I still do not know.

Reviews

[Teeya]

This is truly an exquisitely written piece of poetry. The image compliments the story, although the imagery spoken throughout conjures stirring visuals with no accompaniment needed. I see this Empress as your deepest desire not yet realized. Just when you reach out to touch her, you (the many reflections of you) hold yourself back because of a paralyzing anxiety that you might just receive her. She's that elusive penchant you can see past your fears yet she seems unattainable because of them. The sacred weapon you need to defeat the scorpions (fear) is the belief you can. I could be wrong about the concept of this entire piece but this is my interpretation and whether I'm right or wrong, this was my pleasure to read.

[Eric Pudalov]

Wow!! Thank you so much for this amazingly insightful review, Teeya. I think you've really hit upon something. This poem really is based on a dream that I had as a teenager, and I had long pondered as to what the meaning of the dream was - and your interpretation fits not only the dream but my life in general. Thank you!!

[BlackRose]

Fantastic story like poem. It's like a paint to canvas forming a superb piece told well. So of mystical yet one striving to reach for the woman or whoever they were trying to reach. Seems like it was one of your dreams that maybe in your life you are trying so hard to someone but haven't succeeded yet with so much obstacles or reasons in your way preventing you in doing so.

[Ghost of Jupiter]

what a story your paint out here.. the images abstract yet concise... The second stanza really stands out to me.. the mirrors showing the different facets of your personality, your soul. I love the idea of that. Then with the Empress appearing to guide you through, yet not really able to reach you... hmm an interesting idea. I wonder the symbolism of the scorpions and their venom... there could be so many answers to that inquiry .. and this is another aspect I adore about this piece. One can ponder the meaning and make most any interpretation work. Very well done, Eric. Such a lovely poem...and the image you posted with it is gorgeous as well... people are such beautiful works of art, aren't they?!

[Eric Pudalov]

Thank you, K!!! Yes, the mirror part is directly from the dream itself. There were mirrors everywhere, and they seemed to show different parts of me - they also turned on and off like TVs. I'm not sure what the symbolism of the scorpions is - that's my Zodiac sign, but I also just feel fascinated with them in general. And yes, people *are* such wonderful works of art!! Mmmmmm....

[Eric Pudalov]

Oh look, you got a featured review! ;-)

[Ghost of Jupiter]

sounds like you had a very interesting dream! I love to unravel them when I can remember having such perplexing images in the night...that is when I actually do sleep haha. Yes we can both agree... on that... mmmmm lol ;)

[Ghost of Jupiter]

how the hell did i achieve that!!! I just don't get it Eric...somebody please explain to me this phenomenon!