Her nightmare was surreal
As most nightmares are
A message from a dimmed reality
Intensified by terror
"You want it darker?"
Something asked
As she saw forests devoured
By hellish flames
The spirits of animals, trees,
Homes (yes they have souls), humans
Evaporate into darkness
"You want it darker?"
Charcoal painted fields
Covered the dead earth
As the fumes of putrid scum
Rose from oceans
Fusing with thick grey air
Beneath a blackening sky
"You want it darker?
She witnessed monstrous hate
By humans inhumanely killing
Irrationally rationalizing wealth
As natural evidence for
The "fittest" of the species' survival
"You want it darker?
"NOOOO!!!" she screamed awake
Fearing the truth of dreams
She realized
Darkness can engulf darkness
It CAN get darker
("You Want It Darker" respectfully borrowed from the title of a song by Leonard Cohen.)
Wtitten for Earthwheel where Brendan provides many writing challenges revolving around Halloween and All Souls Day.
Powerful !
ReplyDeleteSadly, frighteningly true. And NO I do not want it darker.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately all the scenes you describe are coming through before our eyes, even if we choose to look the other way. Powerful and timely poetry for this Halloween!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. If the majority of us dont counter what's happening with our light, it could get darker yet. I pray not. A powerful poem, my friend. I am so fatigued, I can barely put words together at the moment.
ReplyDeleteWhat a hypnotic voice and question from a dream. How far can it really go with us transfixed at the window?
ReplyDeleteThat is the scariest part...
ReplyDeleteWe are all living a surreal nightmare at the moment and this autumn/winter already feels like a dimmed reality, Myrna. Any darker and we’ll burn out completely. You’ve conveyed the world’s terror so well.
ReplyDeleteIt sure can get darker - I know exactly what you mean. Holding onto the light to dispel the darkness is the challenge of these times. Suzanne of Mapping Uncertainty
ReplyDeleteWow - reality is way too dark, I am screaming here for a bit of light.
ReplyDelete