The Demons I Can't Write About

If only my past, were so easily left behind as the concept implies.

staring from the depths
that only I see,
doggedly calling to me
in voices only I hear

an exhausted spirit
bargains with shadowed demons
to stay hidden from familiar sight,
festering on tucked away yesterdays

and they comply...
what then is the cost
of a soul in suffering,
when shrouded in borrowed felicity

as the monstrous voices dim
poetic hands break for freedom;
blue lines streaked on white
where ink roams exempt of onus

how easily a writer forgets
the etchings of our art
(feverish pen strokes on paper)
echo to our very depths

tortured ink stained hands,
chafe a dark pact with each stroke
fly ridden yesterdays lose flavor
the present, much too tasty to resist

so, they come for me;
per contract: hungry and remorseless
ascending grooves and foot holes
they, or I could never forget

I'm found (like lightening to ground)
hunched over a worn notebook
they sink claws into my back,
screams (theirs and mine) deafen thought

halted pen strokes signal defeat
they stand, glaring at ebbing courage
backwater dealings are reestablished
they comply, and I... stop writing

Author's Note

I hope it isn't a hectic read... wrote it about 4 in the morning. Thank you for reading.

Reviews

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

This is very deep, moving and filled with lots of emotion :)
I like the name, the demons i cant write about, im sure if yo keep at it you will beat the demons :)
I enjoyed reading this piece :)
I think you really put a lot of thought into this piece :)

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, this piece wrote itself... I have insomnia to thank for it. Haha I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[cimmy wuv xxxooo]

Your most welcome :)
I did :)

[s y e]

Such an honest poem, Travis - sometimes those are the best and I definitely think this is one of your best. The emotion was so strong.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Noodle... You have a great eye for the art, and I am humbled by your thoughts on this piece.

[TL Boehm]

tortured ink stained hands,
chafe a dark pact with each stroke
fly ridden yesterdays lose flavor
the present, much too tasty to resist
such a powerful poem. I'm guessing many of us can relate to it.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you... I know many of us have those places within that we simply can't face.

[Allelujah]

This was a.great friend thanks for sharing this with me,we've all been.there at our lowest points.GREAT INK

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, I truly appreciate your great review.

[David Scott]

Oh yes! I get this. I am such a coward... I give what I can, but there is still so much hidden...
This felt so honest too. Great job! You are a hero!

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, David you are far too kind.

[Echoes of Eros]

Your feelings flow deeply into the caverns of the soul. Yes, I know these demons of the mind too well. They never seem to relent, do they?

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

No, they don't... we can only hope freedom exists somewhere, in some waiting day, where the sun will shine its brightest.

[Lydia Shutter]

The thoughts command us to write....they bind our pens and we must oblige. The words become part of us....they are our soul. I think most great poetry is born in the subconscious or in the imagination......depending on the genre. Poets see things a little differently than the rest of the world and because of that, intense poetry such as this poem can be written. Not hectic at all....an outpouring of emotive wonder. Excellent work. Lydi**

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

I agree completely, great poetry is pulled from the subconscious. It's we're our sincerest of thoughts await inspiration, whether they be good or bad. Thank you for an awesome review, Lydia.

[Cassie]

wow!!! this is so so nice, it is not hectic at all, I did enjoy reading and loved how you ended it. Very well written.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you so much, Cass (I hope you don't mind me calling you that). ;)

[Cassie]

I dont mind at all, that makes me feel so much at home because everyone here calls me cass so it is really good

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Ok, good to know. ;)

[Rita L. Sev]

Not hectic, but intense. Every part of the soul - the light and the dark - becomes Muse for the poet... eventually...

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Yes, it is... I look forward to that "eventually." Thank you for your kind words, Rita.

[Jack...]

What it is that can come and take this pen from our hands, take the breath from our lungs and take the life out of life...it happens, we are its prey, sitting back enjoying that one moment of peace when it stirkes. Baring teeth and snarling in the darkness, we sit helpless to its venom and fall back in silence hoping it will leave. Very dark my friend, and very compelling. Oh how I can realte to this.

[Travis Gibson (poetic heroics)]

Thank you, Jack it really does take the pen right out our hands. I'm just humbled I could represent that we'll with this piece.