Moonless Nights

words in short rows

The live oaks by the river live and thrive and hide

In summer when the heat is up in the leaves

And the blood boils or at least steeps

In rich veins of poor men and their women

Great white moths fly at night, flame drawn to

Where the live oaks by the river thrive and hide

In summer high up in the leaves

The dark things high up in the leaves

The things that watch and wait for

Opportunities, opportunities and

Unattended children.   

 

Reviews

[Laz K.]

I often get that feeling, too, that behind the (more or less) peaceful and "normal" facade of the world there's something mad and sinister. The Gnostics already talked about it in their dualistic worldview way back when. The mood in this poem is truly creepy - which is a compliment to your writing.

[Delmar Cooper]

Thanks for reading. Yes, it went over the edge of the world there at the end.

[SheIsMe]

A very chilling read! Reminds me of Dean Koontz's "Phantom", one of the first books I ever read of his. You've got a way of capturing your audience and hooking them. I feel like that was the prelude to one hell of a novel. Great job.

[Delmar Cooper]

I have probably read "Phantom". I suffered a Koontz addiction for years. It is , or was intended to be a horror poem. My only hope for it was not to be a horror of a poem.

[SheIsMe]

It was about a giant moth like creature. I was afflicted with the same addiction and still have all his books!!

[Chris]

Another Stephen King Fan I see... or even ...Dean Koontz?

[Delmar Cooper]

I find comfort in Koontz, the formula never changes even though the story does and I like that in mind candy. King? Not so much, I like his novellas, but other than Salem's Lot his first big rewrite of Dracula I don't find his writing exciting. I like a story that doesn't rely on 100 % supernatural endings.

[Chris]

I so agree.

[Einstein Noodle]

ohhhh i like it Delmar .. very tasteful spooky scene .. subtly enveloped me .. by the river, with the oaks ..really cool says i .. the repeating themes using same phrases reminds me of a pantoum only simplified . i think it works great to create the effect .. contrast of those "Great white moths .." is such a contrast .. they should be harmless but it gives me the shudders to imagine those mothy wings and bodies brushing up against me face .. arrrrrrrrgh ... i really appreciate the creative invention using "heat" the leaves and veins .. great connection ... such a shorty .. but i got into it .. nice one!
E.

[Delmar Cooper]

Thank you for reading and your thoughts. I have no real reason for the moths. I just had a feeling about sticking them in there, head images, so to speak. Huge harmless Luna moths that frighten children and the white pointy hoods of Klansmen vied for companionship in my brain. Who knows, must be the heat?

[Poetic Beauty]

Makes me think of big cats hiding up in treats watching their prey with hungry eyes

[Delmar Cooper]

Yes, something that descends from a high dark place. If I take tour meaning correctly.

[W.k.kortas]

The quick and the dead, moths and children. Compressed damn Faulkner is what it is, and I do mean that as some high praise.

[Delmar Cooper]

I could put on my double breasted Faulkner suit, white until Labor Day, walk around in the evening humidity all over Yoknapatawpha County and still never be mistaken for the real fellow, regardless of how long and complex my sentence structure.

[Dave]

So easy to conjure up the scary on dark moonless nights. I liked this - thank you .
Take care - Dave

[Delmar Cooper]

Thank you for reading and taking time to comment.

[Dave]

You always make it a pleasure to stop and read, thank you.
Take care - Dave

[Miss Sharon]

I love it! (The things that watch and wait for opportunities, opportunities and Unattended children. ) ~Sharon

[Delmar Cooper]

So glad your read it and took the time to comment. Thank you.

[Chris Shaw]

A dark write Delmar. As dark as that moonless night and the fate of unattended children. Suitably creepy and Sci fi. Reminds me of the Day of the Triffids. (John Wyndham). They say his grave was completely smothered in stubborn ivy which had cracked the stone and penetrated the earth. Yes, it must have been out to get him. Great imagery.

Chris

[Delmar Cooper]

Strange you should recall that movie. You must be very old or alternate between MTV and the Sci-fi Channel , I think it is the latter myself. Salt water cures Triffids - I have that on a t-shirt.

[Chris Shaw]

:)) you are absolutely right Delmar, of course it is the latter. Liking your tee shirt btw.

[Robert Trakofler]

I do enjoy a good little bit of stalking now and again when the Bunny grows his fangs and waits for unsuspecting carrots to pass by:)

[Delmar Cooper]

Brother Darko!
Thanks for reading and commenting.