But sleep...not yet

All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream. Edgar Allan Poe

I hear it scratching on the attic floor
yesterday it was still behind the wall
sometimes I think it’s all in my head
the sound that clatters in my chamber

then in the corner of my eyes I see
fingers that stretch and reach for me
eyes in the dark, a mouth wide open
rows of teeth like knives that cut

it whispers something I can't explain
slippery words that look like snakes
in bed I search between the drapes
I close my eyes but sleep… not yet.

 

© Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere

If you want to hear the poem recited, click on the large window of SoundCloud. Enjoy :)  Rudi

Author's Note

Reviews

[Confuser]

Rudi: A departure for you, and I love it too. Sounded like a million centipedes crawling in someone's brain; the old Hitchcock movies, that grab you and you turn, listening for the sounds - the house is settling, nothing at all, but YOU never know....Seriously, I do worry that the squirrels will get in the attic! For some reason, so very sorry - cookies are available, soundcloud will not work. I know I'm missing out. I'm going to ask someone....Thanks...Creepy Artwork, Poe's work can be so dark, but brilliant. Dale

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you Dale, for passing by and reading my poem. I'm glad to read your comment, I love Hitchcock and Poe too, they are both my favorites. Have a good weekend. :) Rudi

[Confuser]

You're welcome Rudi...YOU TOO!!!!!!!!

[Zahra]

wow, that amazing. Loved the rhythm and the mood. Well penned

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Zahra, glad you liked it. Have a good day. :) Rudi

[R Smith]

lovely stuff Rudi! you only have to point at Poe to get me on board my favorite poet without a doubt, your poem is heavy with terror and menace, it just drips the fear of the mind and is that photo from an old Polanski movie 'Compulsion' at least i think that's the title, a feast for us horror people, thank you so much :)

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Richard. I didn't know about the film, I thought is was matching with the poem about the reaching hands. I definitely have to see this film. :) Rudi

[R Smith]

you should do its a 60s movie so maybe hard to find and of course if i have the title correct, having said that do look for it, maybe youtube might have it :)

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Yes, I have looked, it's 'repulsion' a film from Roman Polanski with the French Catherine Deneuve in the leading role. :) Rudi

[R Smith]

ah! Repulsion and Catherine Deneuve is one of my all time dream women so well worth a look i'd say :)

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

I found the full movie on you tube, so I certainly will take a look at it. Thank you for giving me the tip. :) Rudi

[Ana B.]

A wonderfully wicked write dear Rudi. E.A. Poe will always be a ethereal legend :)

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Ana. Glad you liked it. :) Rudi

[Coyote Poetry]

I enjoyed the verbal poetry. Gave substance and energy to your words. Thank you for sharing the amazing verbal poetry. You are a storyteller.
Coyote

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, John, for the great compliment. Really appreciated. :) Rudi

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome my friend.

[Robert]

You have the dark side of poetry. Interesting and frightening and vivid throughout the piece. Well done.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Robert, like I said already to Matt, I think it's just a phase. :) Rudi

[Kelly Scheppers]

I've never ventured into the dark side before, but I must say, the feel of this is most impressive, Rudi! I look forward to your audio accompaniments, as well!

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, Kelly. I'm glad you liked the reading and also the reciting of the poem. Really appreciated. Have a good day. :) Rudi

[....................]

nay, never more... love the allusions to Poe's work (intended or otherwise) and the overall feel of the piece... the opening four lines are fabulous and really set the mood... maybe this is life as we know it... that dream within a dream that we can never escape, moving from wall, to floor, to just outside the door... fantastic write, Rudi!

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you, FT, for reading and such a great review. It's very appreciated, my friend. Have a good day. :) Rudi

[sereenaoutloud]

omg so i finally reached sunlight and listened too it ... super creepy gave me goosebumps...the music really adds to the whole feel!
awesome but scary lol :)

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Thank you again, Sereena, for listening. The music is called 'unseen horrors' and is of a certain Kevin McLeod and is royalty free music, so I can use it. :) Rudi

[sereenaoutloud]

such a great effect ..takes the reader into the write!! :)

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

I guess so, for me it's another kind of experiencing the words and their meaning. You can give a dimensional effect to it with the right music and effects. It's all new to me too. :) Rudi

[sereenaoutloud]

oohhhh thing gave me chills Rudi. Still too early in the morning and dark here to listen too the reading,,, lol yes I'm a big chicken lol
Will come back when it is light hehehehe

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Hey, thank you, Sereena, glad you liked it. I have to admit that the reading could be a little scary or creepy. If you are up to it, let me know what you think of the reading. :) Rudi

[sereenaoutloud]

i will as soon as its not dark ... lol :)

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

Okay, thank you, Sereena. :)