Black Dogs

Black Dogs

Black dogs live within us.

Satan’s beasts strain at the leash,

Waiting for their chance to strike;

To devour human nature,

The human heart,

The spirit; the soul.

To swamp our consciousness

And overwhelm us in fear.

 

They stand across our path

When our faith is shaken,

Heads stooped, black eyes menacing;

Sensing an easy kill.

Striking terror,

Removing all hope

Of our own redemption;

Helpless we stand transfixed.

 

Yet are we just easy prey,

To stand subdued to fate?

When in our mortal being

Lays such an awesome power.

Seek out your strength,

Liberate your sword,

Release your Godly self,

And cast out those savage creatures.

 

3^rd April 2010

Reviews

[A love for poetry]

Hmmm, super! Love the idea of the liberating sword. The sword is a great symbol of rectifying the evil beings and lurking minions--for me it reads quite softly of the subject; until the sword is mentioned... My favorite genre of poetry; which is good as it tells people about good and bad, something that is desperately needed in todays world.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Thank you again Isaac. Your comments as a serious poet are always most welcome.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

OK having read and reflected on your comment the change of tenor was meant to represent a change in emphasis from acquiescing to the beasts to realising you have the ability to fight them. It was a metaphorical shake to wake the reader from the gaze of the headlights. Hope that makes sense.

[A love for poetry]

Yes-- and "Black dogs" is also a perfect title. I understand this as a blackened heart of a dogs nature, a real mongrel, (hell's beasts/ dog with three heads)

[KAOlmsted]

("Satin’s beasts..."--do you mean Satan?)

I like your dark side. This is very well written; the imagery frightening. Just perfect.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Can't believe that typo has been there all this time! So Maybe.....

[KAOlmsted]

maybe it's not Satan after all...maybe you don't have a dark side...maybe you are writing about satin...I knew it *laugh*

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Smooth lady, smooth!!!

[KAOlmsted]

I see you've forsaken synthetic fibers for the Netherworld...good on ya *wink*

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Well I'm keeping the satin for the bedroom.....oh and the Satan!!

[KAOlmsted]

(I'm not here...you don't see me) Both work well in the boudoir...except Satan always pushes me off those slippery sheets, that b*****d, and I usually end up on the floor. He really is evil, you know.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Well my dear I suggest you get rid of the satin and have a more sedate approach to the boudoir!

[Mia]

This is a winner. The second stanza is amazing and my favourite. It’s very beautifully written. But the last is more meaningful to me. I love that you asked...
"Yet are we just easy prey,
To stand subdued to fate?"
...as a rhetorical question, only to brush it off as absurdity.
“When in our mortal being
Lays such an awesome power."

"Release your Godly self,
And cast out those savage creatures. "
What a powerful way to end! I feel like I should get up and do something extra ordinary. Of course I’m not going to, but you made me feel something and that’s what’s important. Pen, paper and magic...that’s what happened here.

[John Alexander McFadyen]

My lovely Mia that is such a nice thing to say and a wonderful review, Many thanks!

[Violet Dreams...]

This is beautiful, the way you have expressed one's evil, dark passenger is amazing.
"Yet are we just easy prey,"
The way you questioned, i liked it.
I was visualing the epic battle between one's good and one's bad

[John Alexander McFadyen]

I am glad it made you think.

[Kuhr Gred]

great expression :) i like it.. i agree what afra said :)
- Kuhr gred

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Many, many thanks for your kind review.

[afra]

wow i loved this ..its awesome ...i think its your best

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Do you really thinks so? Awsome! It was prompted by Ian McEwan's novel of the same name. A fantasticly black novel!

[Lily Mae]

I always say that to live a good full life you need to learn to embrace the dark night of the soul to appreciate the light.. this is well represented here in your piece.. Sometimes the black dog can feel like a little toy poodle or a pit bull..x

[John Alexander McFadyen]

With you it would be a raging bull!

[Rhianne Ney]

Yay! I found it so the review...
Black dogs represent the evil that dwell on man's heart... and few can slay it... and sometimes those who managed to slay them can find themselves with the dogs returning...
Great imagery and meaningful, John

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Glad you enjoyed it. I don't just write erotic stuff.

[Rhianne Ney]

Of course you don't that's not the only genre in literature...

[Persephone]

Great write, we do all have dark creatures within us - thanks for sharing!

[John Alexander McFadyen]

You are most kind. Many thanks