King of Nightmares

a dark apology

Just behind your brightest dreams

where you thought was light, so it seems;

sits a wretched kingdom of the blackest pitch.

A ruler with twilight eyes, on his thrown he sits.

 

Draped in midnight, fiery stars keep absent from his collar.

Cushioned heads nurse grand ideas, adding to his succulent fodder.

The highest of sincere hopes are dragged to his joyless pit,

while still convincing the wildest of dreams he doesn't exist.

 

Even the Boogie man bows to his arresting hand in the land of sleep,

its in this all-consuming place that life's dying light comes to weep.

As long as dreams are sweet, his dark kingdom will stand behind illusions,

the land of nightmares increases its dimensions as bliss withers to delusions.

 

His quenchless thirst compels him to feed at every turn,

devilishly ecstatic that optimistic minds never seem to learn.

His bite is both wide and vicious, never leaving much space to hide;

cracking fantasy at its foundation, to stir what magic lays inside.

 

May your imaginative mind be cautious of the things it may wish;

for convincing you that he, isn't I and I am not him was my greatest trick.   

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Tina Kline]

A very dark and eerie tale here indeed.
Nicely done horror write.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Tina your visit is greatly appreciated.

[Tina Kline]

You're very welcome!

[Vidya Bacchus]

We have to be careful that the darkness that resides in us all does not overthrow the good.Adark piece,well penned as usual poetic:)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, this was written at a time I allowed that very thing and I hurt someone special to me because of it. I'm trying to learn not to find comfort in that place, but it's where I've gone to survive so many times in my life.

[Vidya Bacchus]

You are welcome and we have to learn from our mistakes:)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

That we must.

[Nicole Williams]

this is simply brilliant,
"even the boogie man bows to his arresting hand in the land of sleep,
its in this all-consuming place that life's dying light comes to weep."
I have no idea how I missed this piece of madness before ,
again you have proven how amazing you are.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Again, you've shown me a new level of humility. I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. It indeed, was madness. Unfortunately, a madness that reached someone special to me. It was to serve as a cathartic apology of sorts, but only made things worse.

[Coyote Poetry]

A interesting poem. I had to read again. You said a lot in the poem. Open the door to visions and thoughts. Imagination can make us wander to strange places. Many types of Boogie-men in a life. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Coyote... and there are indeed, many types of Boogie men amoungst us.

[EMMIE]

love the darkness, very creative, unique concept. Just great!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so very much, I'm very happy you enjoyed it. I appreciate you reading/reviewing my work, I look forward to reciprocating the gesture.

[Tom]

Very imaginative indeed, even within the purest heart lurks a sinister beast pulling away at the heart strings, craving release, but don't ever give in to it's suggestive rants as it festers away hoping for acknowledgement through the occasional nightmare !

Splendid my friend, this is a darkly passionate poem and quite absorbing to read !

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Tom your reading and wonderful review are both very appreciated. I will be certain to reciprocate the gesture.

[Angi]

I feel that this King feeds on himself most nights. the imagery took me to terrifying places. His bite has created a vision that is so bloody and cruel. this King must be bad a*s to scare the boogie man away. the last lines grabbed me with the twist it brought. well done, travis. Angi~

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Angi your reviews always leave me with a sense of accomplishment.

[Angi]

I always love stopping on your pages Travis. Ya never know what you might find! You are very welcome.

[Dye]

What a dark twisted tale. To be blinded by your optimistic mind, not seeing the dark side that exist.

The ending is fantastic.

"May your imaginative mind be cautious of the things it may wish;
for convincing you that he, isn't I and I am not him was my greatest trick. "

It usually is the ones you least expect or are the closest too that can hurt you the most.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Those are the one who indeed do the most damage. Thanks you, Dye I appreciate you visiting and leaving me with your lovely thoughts

[ANTO]

I found this an almost perfect description of what I think a black hole must be like - where even lifes light ends up. Superb wordsmithing my friend - you must have divined deeply for this gem - take care you remember to come up for air.
Unmissable write.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I actually did dig pretty deep for this one. I caused quite a bit of anguish to someone close to me, and this was a purge write. Trying to be honest with myself. Thanks for the great words on this piece, Anto.

[redflutterby]

Beware the demon that lives deep within all of us. Reminds me if the Native American tale about which animal within us we feed the most. The battle between dark and light is a fierce one. Brilliant write!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, so much for such grand words on this piece... beware the demon we must. Your reviews are always appreciated.