Nightmares of Uncertainty-Co-Write with Rick Puetter

Co-Write with Rick Puetter based on Edgar Allen Poe's poem, "Dreams of The Unseen"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunrise over the golf course of Oulton Hall Hotel.  © Copyright Steve F. and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Generic (CC BY-SA 2.0) license.  The original image can be found at http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2163718.

 

 

Dear Readers

This poem was inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's poem “Dream Within a Dream”.  According to Wikipedia, the poem “reflects Poe's feelings about his life at the time, dramatizing his confusion in watching the important things in his life slip away.  Realizing he cannot hold onto even one grain of sand leads to his final question that all things are a dream.”  This is a natural stepping off point for remembering the uncertainties we all feel in life and asking the question of how can we rise above the paralysis of uncertainty and fear.

 

This poem is a co-write of

 

            Sheila Kline (http://www.writerscafe.org/wvhillbilly47) &

            Rick Puetter (http://www.writerscafe.org/rpuetter)

 

 

Nightmares of Uncertainty

 

     “…Is all that we see or seem / But a dream within a dream?...”

--- Edgar Allen Poe

 

Life seems a dream within a dream--

A puzzle past all mortal schemes.

Man's tears flow free 'neath troubled brow,

For we know not Life's whys or hows.

As judgment fails in dark of night,

We chart bold plans, but lack insight.

Will knowledge come--keep dark at bay?

Or blindness rule and hold full sway!

 

Life's truth is found within our dreams,

But paths get lost--in pain, soul screams.

As Man's mind seeks Life's distant shores,

The clock ticks on--soul cries for more.

Yet sand in glass drains lower still--

And spirit dies--such bitter pill!

The reason for nightmares is clear--

We lack the strength to conquer fear!

 

The Future? Well, this, too, a dream!

What shores we'll reach remains unseen.

Will Man's hopes fall in mockery?

Man's spirit left in poverty?

As cross roads up ahead large loom,

We're so uncertain, we're consumed.

Through dreams mind slides on scales like snake

Oh sanity, don't fail, don't shake!

 

And as mind weaves through shadows deep,

I pray these nightmares l'll not keep.

Let not this suffering be in vain,

Nor crippling doubt in mind remain.

So 'bout myself I'll wrap strong shield

And force of will as bright sword wield!

I'll march with strength through all my doubts,

And through these dreams this bold cry shout:

 

I am but Man, yet here I stand

Now fears be gone!  I vow, command!

 

 

 

©2011 by Sheila Kline and Richard Puetter, each and individually

All rights reserved

Author's Note

I wish to thank Rick Puetter for his poetic brilliance in crafting this adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe's poem with me! May we all rise above our "Nightmares of Uncertainty"!

Reviews

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

Read this one again.. wonderful!

Peace

[Mauricio Montoya]

First, Poe is one of my favorite poets. Second you guys have done a great job in bringing this write together and third you’ve inspired me to take my wring in a different direction, thank you for sharing and for the work of such an awesome piece.

[OT]

oh wow! what a brilliant collaboration - the nightmares of uncertainty that cripple the psyche!! wonderful duet - voices in harmony to produce this great piece!! bravo!!

[Chloe..Across the Unive..]

Wonderful collabration... you can't really tell who is saying what, you or Rick which to me makes this one great piece of writing.
I have heard some say life is but a dream.. if this were to or could be true i would prefer to awake. The feelings of fear and doubt are so well expresssed .. within these verses the dreamer as it were is commanding these fears be gone, powerful lines...

"So 'bout myself I'll wrap strong shield

And force of will as bright sword wield!

I'll march with strength through all my doubts,

And through these dreams this bold cry shout:



I am but Man, yet here I stand

Now fears be gone! I vow, command"

Wonderful poetry.

Chloe

[An owl on the moon]

Powerful and stunning work. Your collaboration flows flawlessly and strikes deep into heart and soul. And what dreams may come... in past, present and future?

[Jenny Nelson]

An excellent feel here. You've truly captured the essence of E.A.P.
Uncertainty indeed. Really is a nightmare for most. You really put the eerie feel to it all, but offer hope that can be found within ourselves. Great piece!

[Tina Kline]

Fantastic collaboration. We are haunted with uncertainty and plagued by bitter memories of things we did we wish we never had. I like Edgar Allen Poe and think you both did brilliant work on this collaboration. I enjoyed everything about it!

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Great flow with excellent imagery!

[KAREN]

Great flow! it was s very intresting solid write! Well written!

[Ladysue]

An outstanding collaboration...I enjoy every word of this piece.. great thoughts flowing off the page...impeccable flow. I especially like the last two stanza's...brilliant writing...