When It Reigns

Dealing with what lies within

Ever present torments
Crumble from hidden places
Filling an arena where joy
Habitually contends to be dominate

Well-timed fraudulent smiles
And perfected guile expressions
All expire without fuss
Leaving only factuality

Sadness reigns,
A troubled soul resists not
Its irrefutable king
And bows absent of fight

Nightmarish images blister
Source of shame, guilt, resentment
Echoes with shrills of childhood demons
Beckoning brokenness

Oily limbs gather
Ushering away light
Luring the weary hearted
Into an abyss of it's own making

The couch of isolation
Comforts and repairs despondency
Silence lends a giving ear,
Safeguarding deep-seeded secrets

Tortured hands translate
Words are borne on passion' s back
Paper's purity is lost to oblivion
Ink, pulls the wreckage from deep

Author's Note

Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Indeed, writing is a catharsis and no matter what is bothering the poet, expressing it on paper makes it easier to deal with...makes it less dismaying and appalling. Your emotive words are powerful and there is a light at the end of your poem....hope for the future. Good metaphor. Lydi**

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so very much, Lydia.

[Jack...]

Putting up a brave front only creates that wall to hide behind temporarily. Eventually we need to step out into the light and feel the warmth of other perspectives. Travis, this I understand...I often hide in the darkness hoping to find the flame that I may float to like so many other moths, I just want to come at it from a different direction. Very cool my friend.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thanks, Jack... I've found darkness comforting for a very long time. Simply sharing that space through my writing sheds light on it for me. I do look forward to the day, where I no longer retreat there at all.

[Rachelle]

We each have our mode of catharsis. For me, it's a run around the neighborhood which helps me get thoughts and ideas into perspective. Isolation is not such a bad thing if it leads to introspection, self-understanding and growth. And though the world would never comprehend the person behind the façade, and they don't necessarily have to, self-knowledge and understanding is much more important - leading you to challenge yourself further, take risks, reach out and grow.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you for such an understanding review. I'm gonna have to try running around the neighborhood to see what juices get flowing, one of these days. ;)

[Rachelle]

But don't run with your earbuds on. Sometimes, it helps if you listen to the rest of the world.

[Solilokiss]

I can relate to this splendidly write so very well, Poetic. Thank you for sharing what I could never word as precisely and matter-factly as you have. Well done, poet. This is a superb write.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so very much, I'm happy this speaks for more then just myself.

[Cassie]

This is so lovely, I enjoyed reading. Good one and our poem is work in progress. Let me finish it and message you.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thanks, Cassie... ok, great. i‘ll get my thinking cap ready. ;)

[Joyce S. Greene]

Yes, in isolation we can often drag out our demons, expose and examine them, and hopefully expunge them forever from our tortured minds. Great poetry, PH, I am impressed as I usually am by your talent.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

And as usual, Joyce you've left me completely humbled.

[Allelujah]

A great writing,its like the mind leaked on to the paper.you Brought.this to life...excellent thank.you for sharing this

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you... your kind thoughts and visit are greatly appreciated.

[Rod Dangers]

Such incredible images here and original lines. As i was reading, i though each stanza i read was my fave, until i read the next, then the next...a poem that continually improved.
Well penned. Thank you for sharing.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

RD, i truly have no words to thank you with for such compliments... I'm truly humbled and appreciative of such an outstanding review.

[Pryde Foltz]

Nightmarish images blister
Source of shame, guilt, resentment
Echoes with shrills of childhood demons
Beckoning brokenness

You blow me away, PH. The level of expression and insight and craft … you are a mighty pen.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

You truly humble me... this began much heavier and I decided to try to trim the fat. I thought it would suffer, but you have lifted those worries.

[Pryde Foltz]

Each stanza refines the thought and story … needs no trimming from where I sit.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Pryde.

[Frieda P]

Packed of pathos and self flagellation, we tend to hide behind that facade of fake smiles to placate other's but inside we're crying. Excellent read Travis. Absolutely love that last stanza!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Facade of fake smiles, describes a big part of my existence. I'm glad you were able to enjoy this piece, Frieda. Your thoughts are always looked forward to.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Ink indeed pulls the wreckage from deep as we poets use our emotions to speak. This is so expressive of the confusion we often discover as we walk the path of life and find it wanting or feel we do not have the skills to traverse it's craggy way. Nicely expressed and paced piece PH

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, John your understanding of this piece is appreciated as much as your wonderful thoughts.