Hide and Seek

Night legs

chase and

night hands

capture and

night arms 

hold

 

me

 

and night lips whisper.

 

I run hide,

I crouch

down

low

behind the bush.

 

I wish myself 

lower

than the leaves,

I wish myself 

lower

than the grass,

I want to hide

deep 

under 

the sifted dirt.

 

Hold my breath,

I have to breathe,

 

he is calling,

calling,  

 

I know

I hate my name.

 

Fear-heat  

rises

off my skin,

puffing

white smoke circles

to the sky.

 

Night seeks,

and he finds.

 

Bring her a star!

 

Not one falls.

 

No wishes tonight,

night of twin fears: 

two blue circles

mounted on a face.

Author's Note

not many of us make it through childhood whole (revised 5/6/08)

Reviews

[Winter McPherson]

This is very deep. I had to read it a few times. It's a very powerful poem. One can feel the anxiety in it. The childish wishing for a star is very poignant. The fanciful hopefulness of children facing the harsh realities of life is tragically caught in these lines. Thank you for sharing something so close to you.

[poetic soul]

very captivating poem... i enjoyed reading it and had to re-read another time to understand it though.. :) nice write..

Regards,
Poetic Soul

[Wildecat]

This a well crafted poem, a definite pleasure to read your poetry.

[Emily B]

It didn't take long to see that the game wasn't playing. Oh, wow! Light and sharp and hard all at the same time. Brilliantly written.

[dorkfish]

wow, and now i see what you meant about my poem and what it made you think.
this was amazing, full of emotion and insite.
to hide under the sifted dirt, amazing thought
and the first stanza was just amazing and heart wrenching.
Amazing job.

[Wildfleour]

We may make it through whole, but with fragmented haunting memories. You captured this feeling well, along with the fear and tension felt by the voice of the poem.

I know

I hate my name. -----------OUTSTANDING.

[Thomas James Martin]

You are a real master of tone. I felt like it was me hiding.

Tom

[poetaster]

this is certainly different than the first piece of yours i read, "summerville," in both tone and structure. it's tragic without being melodramatic. but i love the repetition and the imagery of nature.
it really conveys a lot without verbosity.
"two blue circles
mounted on a face."
is an excellent description.
depressing but good piece.

[Wordcrafter]

This a very good poem, even more powerful in its lack sentimentality or dramatization.The short verses, give good pauses for thought and added emphasis. Excellent.

[Shara Faskowitz]

It looks great! I think that verb resolves any potential misunderstanding about what you mean. You done good. Survivors generally do. Brava! :-)