Lost in the Darkness

I was walking through a beautiful forest
it was a glorious day
the birds were singing

the sweetest melody I had ever heard

A cool breeze was entwining itself

through the leaves of the trees

giving them a voice

beyond human capacity to understand
They shared their ancient secrets

as I walked aimlessly in their midst

My joy was complete that day

and I was at peace

Vaguely I remembered

that another life awaited me

away from this place

of whispering trees

and hidden secrets
but so much was I entranced by my surrounds

that it slipped away from me

became lost somewhere
in the corners of my mind

 

Nothing mattered anymore
all sense of reality left me
as I wandered timelessly

through this place

of indescribable beauty
through this place

of dreams

of fantasy

wonder

and joy

 

So lost was I

in my forest of light
that I did not see the darkness

as it stole upon me
I did not understand that without the light

the forest would become a dark and foreboding place

a place of nightmares
of fear and loss

At first I was blinded by the light
by the beauty of all that surrounded me
but when the darkness came upon me

it rendered me sightless

I stumbled

cried out for help

but no one but the trees heard me

and they were heartless

and did not care

The once cool breeze

had turned into an angry beast

that sunk its cold fingers

into my flesh

I was lost
Unseen by the world

I fell to the mossy ground

aware of the creatures

that lived in its depths
but no longer caring

Anguish flooded my soul
I wanted to cry out
to scream and fight

but there was no point

no one would hear me
no one would save me

I was invisible

to the rest of the world
entrapped

in a cocoon of darkness

unknown

unloved

uncared for

Hopelessness came

and I welcomed it
I surrendered myself to the night
to the deep loneliness

that had always threatened
to overwhelm my soul

I lay helpless

in the darkness of that night
for countless hours
The trees stood all around me

like soulless sentries

keeping a merciless guard

over this lost soul

who had wandered aimlessly

into their midst

I felt the life seeping out of me

as the cold hands of the wind

made their home

deep within my bones

Then something stirred deep within me
a memory of the life I once had
of who I knew I could be

came fighting through the mists of my heart
I felt a jump in my spirit

as the spark of life

reignited itself within me

Slowly I opened my eyes
forced myself to rise

from the grips of death

Miraculously
through the forest of soulless trees

I saw

the light of a new day had appeared

Tentatively

I took a step towards the light

One

then another

until slowly

painfully
but with endless determination

I found my way home

Author's Note

Any thoughts on this? It's something I wrote a while back but have been working on again and rehashing, it has another part to it that i might publish later. I hope you enjoy.

Reviews

[KeeD]

Before I review this I just want to compliment you on your hair, its so radiant and a clear example why Australian women are one of the most beautiful in the world.

This is like a journey through a dream state, like making me as a reader live a waking dream ..I love how you add elements to make it sound like an enchanted dream. This poem can be interpreted in so many ways, and there's always a light at the end of the tunnel although sometimes reaching it isn't easy at all. I'm curious to see the other part to it. Great write.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you Keegan, I'm glad you entered my world and enjoyed if only for a brief moment in time :) and thank you for the compliment also.

[Jordan's Back]

i honestly Feel this part is intact incomplete, While it flows in depth and precision and the The elegance of illustration is there, it left me to preclude what else Where is it, You leave me wanting more my dear, and that is a very rueful tease, though it be a pleasant one. Excellent job!

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you and yes there is something else here which is why I have been unsure about it. I believe more will come, some has already made its way to paper but there is more still I feel. Maybe even in a larger piece of work. I'm glad, though, that I have enticed you into my world and that you want more. :)

[Jordan's Back]

you have and remember people have long lived with the foregone conclusion that poetry is supposed to be short. The poem is complete when the Lover (the poet) reaches pure and total satisfaction. :)

[Carolann Dowsett]

Yes that is so true. :)

[Yawny]

So full of beauty it is, towards the end it makes the similar kind of appeal the Robert Frost poem "Stopping by the woods ~~" gives, yet remains original for how you have portrayed the evolution of bliss into agony, sense of joy and peace into deep despair. Wonderful.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[Yawny]

The switch over, especially was very genuine and poetic. How light and darkness can veil our senses and how the blindness changes its color. The poem definitely deserves more appreciation than what I can put to words, and yes, it means I totally enjoyed it :)

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you so much. Means a lot.

[RoxelanasDream]

Really loved this. What I love in poems is the imagery and what it tries to show the reader. And this hit the target. Good work girl. :)

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you :)

[Kupendwa]

In all honesty, this is my favorite poem that I've read on this entire site. I wasn't just reading it, it was as if I was living it. It was so real. I was able to imagine it. But more than that, I was able to feel it. This is beyond incredible. I don't even have the words to describe how much I appreciate it. You should definitely publish the second part to it.

[Carolann Dowsett]

Wow thank you so much, I'm moved by your review. I'm so happy you enjoyed this.

[Kupendwa]

You're welcome! Thank you for posting the poem(:

[Dr. Wood ?]

certainly DID enjoy this..I am so glad to have found your work...Description and imagery...beyond most upon this site..Another wonderful journey...thank you

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you so much :)

[Night]

...left me breathless, descriptive, I was taking every step with you. Alas, there is a sadness to this write all too real...for you have described the world we now live in. Great write...:)

[Carolann Dowsett]

Thank you so much, this is one i was not sure about, your words are encouraging. I think there is more here yet to come, maybe a deeper revelation about to be revealed. :)