Night Terrors

This eve

water freezes in jagged patterns

on windows I keep fixed firm,

when the smoke-curl of darkness

raps with her corpse-hands,

and threatens to spirit me away.

 

This fear

tastes of perfume -- sugared aroma

followed closely by biting bitterness --

beckoning as does the sea to a child,

opening her arms gently before

towing the body into a blue-lined grave.

 

If you knew

the quickening of my breath,

and the catch of words in a throat

coated with silencing sand,

you would not ask me to unbar this dormer

and risk the theft of my sanity.

Reviews

[Damien Thibodeaux]

Oh yes Sarah. You know this speaks to me; it gave me chills. One of the reasons was the line, "tastes of perfume-sugared aroma". It is said, the presence of spirits are always accompanied by an odor or aroma. I am blown away every chance I have to read you.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Damien! Good to see you!

[Damien Thibodeaux]

Yeah, I've been gone. Don't know when I'll be a regular again, but whenever I get the chance, I always come to read your poetry. I will be back to read more.

[Kelly Scheppers]

The opening line of each stanza read like an infinite introduction, brilliantly composed to dazzle our imagination!

"If you knew the quickening of my breath,
and the catch of words in a throat..."

You hold me captive every time, Sarah!

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Kelly, it means a lot!

[J. J. Nightingale]

There is such a fine line ...

I know the sweaty palm feeling of Fright to Flight

The fear of going mad inside a dream ..

Wow .. this is so real .. I can relate !

I suffered Night Terrors for years ..

All the phrases worked well, to tell the story of fear in the night !

Well done .. Think I'll leave the light on tonight ! ........ Jazz

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Jazz!

[J. J. Nightingale]

You r welcome Sarah ... :)

[s y e]

Oh wow, Sarah - You've blown me away. I had to sit here and process it all before I began to comment, this is such a relatable write to many.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, my Noodle friend!

[Night]

I can almost taste the fear clambering in the chilled air and suffocating me. You write of a barrage between Terror and Fear (two different concepts, at least to me!).

Thank you for sharing!

[icelandicblue]

A frisson of apprehension appeared on my brow as I read this. Your poem speaks to those fears that wait behind a slim plate of glass. We can only hope it holds.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Yes...sometimes I fear the shattering of the glass. Thank you!

[Chris]

I thought on this one...came back and thought again. You touched a chord ...but that tone wants more filling(?)... to me.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, Chris. I was going for a more "sparse" write in terms of getting heavily into the metaphysical or "cosmic" as it were...this originally had two more stanzas, but I decided to cut them and leave it as it stands because my writes are usually so "heavy". I appreciate your honesty, though...truly.

[Chris]

perhaps I sensed the heaviness you took away because the words that you left - left me expecting the missing ones?

[Astro]

Great alliteration used to highlight the darkness in the night. The warning tones of sadistic secrets that decry something that begs to remain hidden lest it drive the hearer mad, is a great tool to leave the reader to imagine what dreams may come on nights of frosted glass beneath the howling moon. Although, I'd perhaps foolishly admit to being brave enough to listen to your fear, helterskelter come what may.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you, my friend. I love that you liked this one.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

when the pen really lets go, it can be scary...we uncover, unclothe, and unhinge...and it can be terrifying....you have such a new and unique way of phrasing.."corpse-hands"

damn i like that...i like all of the unique phrasing and imagery in this piece...can't wait to read your book.

jacob

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

Thank you so much, Jacob. I respect you so much as a writer (and person), that your words always lift my spirits, and I take what you have to say to heart and head. By the way, the book will be in the mail tomorrow; I do hope you enjoy it :)