In the house of Hastur

Recently read an old H.P. Lovecraft story where this evil entity was mentioned. This poem whispered itself in my head.

In the House of Hastur 

By

Carlos Lorenzo Estrada 

(Hail, the King in Yellow)

In the dreamscapes of reality 

exists a house of depravity 

For hidden in its woods of dread

lies dormant evil; whose name's unsaid 

Lurking within a shadowed land

where ashes rain like powdered sand 

Mercurial skies of ebony 

cascade in aphotic symphony 

 

For the gulfs of Madness call us forth

in the dwelling of death and foul discourse 

Give warning to those who are lost

beware of this place for it levies a cost

So be cautious of the yellow sign

should you discover its macabre design 

For Hastur demands blood be spilt 

In this house; no human hand built...

Author's Note

I'm a huge fan of Lovecraft since the first time I read one of his stories at about 10 yrs old. He captured my imagination despite the fact I rarely understood most of the words he used in his writings at the time. But I loved and was mesmerised by his style and evocative storytelling. Even though he himself had questionable character flaws, being a bigot for one thing and some of his work reflecting such attitudes. I still can distinguish the art from the heart. He was an incredible visionary with a mind that taunted us with fear in his prolific style. It is no secret he was a fan of Poe. There is a sadness that he never got the adulation for his work while he was alive and pretty much passed from poverty and ill health. He was by no means a perfect man, but he sure knew how to scare the hell out of people. And because of that he changed the genre of horror a bit as well. I'm a fan and admire his art.

Reviews

[John the Baptist]

I am unfamiliar with Lovecraft, but this Hastur character sounds like a Satan wannabe. May even be encroaching on old Lucifer's territory. Reminds me of DeSantis trying to dethrone Trump.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you JB for your comment on this poem. I have always been a fan of horror and also high fantasy writers. Mostly the pulp writers like R.E. Howard, L. Sprague De Camp, Michael Moorecock, and H. P. Lovecraft. I readily admit that Lovecraft is an acquired taste. He was not the most proficient writer and most of his work can be described as overly effusive, monotonous to read, and just flat out weird. It doesn't help his case that he was also a known racist and bigot. But his style of writing really grew on me as a very young child at age 9. I was fascinated with his use of language and words I didn't even know what they meant at the time. His horror stories just captivated me as a boy. Only later on in life did I finally read up on his bio to discover what motivated his strange storytelling. As a minority in the end it made sense and I was able to separate the artist from his work. He was a disturbed and haunted writer who died penniless of cancer in the mid 1930's. He created his own sub genre called Lovecraftian within horror. He was a fan of Poe, which made me start reading those works as well. And I became a fan of the great writer as well because of Lovecraft. I feel for the most part that my writing style echoes Lovecraft more in influence than any other writer because I can be overly descriptive and effusive at times. Many writers consider him a terrible writer while others consider his work inspired genius. I myself can see both sides of the argument, but I so love his haunted creativity and unique voice. I'll always consider myself a fan despite his moral failings. Thank you kindly again.

[W. Barrett Munn]

As much as I enjoy your writing-and I do-I always begin with hopes you have expand ed your universe to embrace the rigors of free verse. To paraphrase part of an essay by Ezra Pound: if you use rhyme at all it should couple with surprise. The line should follow the musical pattern, not the meter.
“The apparition of these faces in the crowd: Petals on a wet black bough.”

Winston

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Winston for sharing your thoughts with me. I do admit I have found a comfort in ryhme that tends to define much of my poetry. There are some, not many unfortunately, pieces of work that are free form that I have written. I am still very much learning this craft. In my writing process I'm more moved towards short story format than any other forms of writing. And in all honesty I only took up poetry since joining this amazing website a couple of years back. I rarely wrote poetry as a youth. It has been a learning process and experience for me since. When I have time I usually read the works of others here or old poets as well. To try and engage my creativity in the poetic process. It's all trial and error for the most part when it comes to my poetry. I do find myself drawn to the comforts of ryhme more than the other styles of this genre. It is my hope that eventually when I'm more comfortable in expression and creative structure free verse will become more pronounced in my works. I will continue to endeavor in the consumption of such remarkable artists like Whitman, Pound, Eliot, Cummings, Hughes, and others to improve upon my craft. I feel it is of importance to evolve as an artist. To not allow the mind to stagnate into a single style but seek a metamorphosis of creativity. It may take a bit of time but eventually I will get there my friend. Your encouraging words are helpful, along with others who have mentioned the same as well. Thank you Winston and I hope your holidays are a wonderful time. CLE

[W. Barrett Munn]

Rhyme is part; it is easy to allow it to become the all; same with meter or syllabic verse.
The only way to learn to write poetry I have found is to read great poetry. I go so far as to hand copy a poem and then write own side by side. I wrote out two poems of Wallace Stevens this morning.

Winston

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

I find there is such a unique rhythm one can find in reading and studying individual artists poetry. You can literally see a cadence in their words. And each word has specific function and purpose. It is literally a dance with words. A painter's stroke in connotation. It evokes mood, emotion, and thought in subliminal nature within the reader's mind. It draws out one's humanity and intellect. At least from the works of the great ones. One could spend a lifetime analyzing poetry and never truly scratching the surface of its sublime nature. One must throw themselves into the art to truly come to understand it within context of their own creativity and life purpose.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

In the end we are all students in life. Only after our final breath have we become graduates. Wishing you the best of holidays my friend.

[Soren]

Carlos the wording of this piece is perfect. It leaves a uncertainty like a mist or darkness which, like a penumbra, leaves partially visible but at the same time, hidden objects that evoke fear and thereby horror. We fear what we do not know, thereby death and madness being such a common theme. This was well set in a dreamscape, leaving room for a great deal of uncertainty and angst. The mention of the lost is another fear provoking image. If taken metaphorically dreams can be nightmares and may hold symbols of our waking reality. If this was taken in Jungian manner it presents some rather dark archetypes But as Freud said "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." Regardless your wording is exquisite.

[Betty Hermelee]

I wish I had read or known of the book this poem is based on; or should I say inspired from.....the words just spill blood, and gory stuff, probably something kids shouldn't read, but I love your evil words and how you put them together so boldly; as you usually do; from your notes, this storyteller died unknown and a pauper....how sad....
Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you B for your comment on this poem. The words are inspired by a short story from the famed pulp horror writer H.P Lovecraft and the name of the tale is "The Whisperer in Darkness". The character of Hastur itself is a creation of another writer named Ambrose Bierce. Lovecraft became somewhat renowned only after his death for his storytelling in the horror genre and was one of Stephen King's influences as well as a few other writers of horror. He was one of the first writers I read as a child, which you are absolutely correct, probably meant for more an adult audience than children. But I was a huge fan of his work and loved his style of writing despite the fact he was probably one of the least technical proficient storytellers. He would probably be a teachers nightmare to grade not because of the content but because of a lot of errors in sentence structure and over effusiveness to the point of parody. But he is now renowned for his creativity in the horror field that he has created his own niche in the genre called Lovecraftian Horror. Unfortunately he was also racist and some of his writings can overtly express his attitudes towards others. It is said he died in a halfway house from stomach cancer in 1937 poor and alone. And much like my other writing influence Robert E. Howard he died at a young age never living long enough to enjoy the fruits of his labor. Lovecraft counted Poe as one of his influences. Funny fact whenever I read the anthology book I had of Lovecraft it was usually at night and I was alone because my mother say the cover I thought I was reading satanic writing, and even when I assured her it wasn't she said I was too damn young to read filth like that. It didn't help my case that the front cover of the book looked very evil with a hooded figure opening up its robes to reveal its innards spilling out. Thank you kindly again B for sharing your thoughts with me.

[Betty Hermelee]

You're very welcome Carlos (sorry I couldn't write more, but not knowing the character impeded my review) Best to you,
B.

[Lorry]

I can see how the words of this whispered to you, in much the same way Vincent price' spoken part in Michael Jackson thriller album
Whispered to me to pick up the pen for the first time, instead of just twirling it or doodling with it.
Your words read spoke their voice to you, just the same as Vincent price' words spoke to me, although to be honest I had audio help with mine.
Both portrayed a bygone time and it oozed from their pores. If I am ever writing anything with sinister undertones, I always have his voice playing in the background of my mind.
Great piece my friend, proving whispers are scarier than screams.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you Lorry for your comment on this poem. Both Lovecraft and Poe are my writing inspirations when it comes to my more darker work. I have to admit I feel more comfortable in the horror genre when it comes to my creative process. I grew up reading their art mostly along with Stephen King's writing as well. I love dread and horror it holds a deep fascination with me. The mysteries of the unknown and the darkness within us all that lurks. As a writer I feel a certain comfort in that creative space, and emotion. I guess because fear has always been so present throughout my life. Whether being abused as a child or suffering from depression throughout my time on earth. It feels more natural to me than to most. Thank you kindly my friend for sharing your thoughts with me.

[Sami Khalil]

Wow! You are talented indeed as H.P. Lovecraft. Poem is artistic and spooky. I like the idea 💡 of the gulf of madness. Maybe you can write a short story. Up to you.

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you kindly Sami for your comment. I really appreciate it. I have to admit that Lovecraft is an acquired taste and not many may find his work enjoyable. He could be a bit overly effusive with adjectives and he's not very good with dialogue. Almost all his stories are in first person perspective and he tends to repeat certain words continously. Like gibbous and eldritch. And there is also the issue of him being racist. Which reflects in quite a bit of his work in the themes it presents. A basic grammer teacher would have a field day correcting his work for errors. He was by far not much for the technical aspects of the art. Which I readily admit is one of my failings as well. I'm horrible technically when it comes to proper punctuation and don't get me started on my problems with run on sentences. But despite those issues Lovecraft was imaginative and without a doubt creatively inspiring with his art in storytelling. He's the spider that weaves the web which draws his reader into dread. Color out of Space is my personal favorite tale of his and was the first story I read of his that made me a lifelong fan. I love the horror genre because of him. The last two years I been working off and on trying to finish up a short story that is part of the Lovecraft mythos. It is a really creepy story and pretty dark. Maybe someday I'll finish it. Thank you again my friend for your comment.

[Coyote Poetry]

Very nice dance of words my friend. I must read the book. I don't know if we can know sanity Carlos. All of us dance on a thin edge. Right or wrong. Fight or run. Accept life as-is? I enjoyed the poetry. You made my old mind ponder and think. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry.
Coyote

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

Thank you CP for taking the time to read and share your thoughts with me on this poem. I agree most of us live with a bit of madness in our lives. Some eventually are consumed by it and others learn to ignore or regulate it. Fear of the unknown can often push us close to that edge but I feel that the scariest monsters are those with a human face. And at times can be us. The actions in war often speak to our monstrosity and cruelty towards each other. CLE

[Coyote Poetry]

I agree Carlos and you are welcome. Was powerful and worthwhile poetry.