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Churchyard At Midnight

Twas darkness upon the quietly residing heath... And deathly was the sullen red sandstone tower... Standing gloomily inside the masons dry-stone walls Amidst toppling granite slabs and the faded, wilting flower. Solemn was the chime of the hollow, mournful bell When tolling out on midnights grimly sombre hour; And thinly the swirling, unearthly mist Did so wend abouts her silent, melancholic bower. Where from a fronded yew of venerable years, Besides ancient trunks of ivy-entwined gnarly oak, A chilling screech from a sudden ghostly apparition... Summoning upon waking resident souls - did thus invoke! For pale his form in soft white downy flight... But none paler than that of me... As across from the stream, held by an unblinking stare - My shaky fears are transfixed so unnervingly! Oh wise old feathered sage of long owl-lived age, Unctuous incumbent of learned perch within black night, Allow this the moment to calm my pounding heart... And catch upon my fleeing thoughts - after such a wicked fright!!

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Darlene De Beaulieu

Date: 4/24/2019 9:06:00 AM

Hello John Fleming,I would nt go into a church yard in the dark. It would spook me out. The sound of the owl would freak me out! have a nice day my friend.

Timothy Mcguire

Date: 7/24/2018 3:17:00 PM

Absolutely enthralling poem! I enjoyed it immensely.

Rhoda Tripp

Date: 1/24/2018 10:07:00 PM

Straight out of an old Alfred Hitchcock type late night film. Love it, John. You are a master of words.

John Fleming
Date: 1/29/2018 2:25:00 AM

Thanks, Rhoda. I always enjoy reading your warm comments...you are very much welcomed here at anytime. My very best regards as ever. :) john

Patricia Cresswell

Date: 9/15/2017 7:49:00 PM

LOL oh john I know where of you speak. I think they do it unpurpose. Really! Love the build up directing my attention in one way while the owl sneaks up from another. Well done!

John Fleming
Date: 9/16/2017 1:24:00 PM

Yes indeed...pesky little blighters are they not? Even when silent their serrated wing scares as it quietly swoops overhead -- at times they are a damned liability - Chuckles! Cheers, Patricia! :) john

Indiana Shaw

Date: 8/28/2016 9:55:00 PM

"Wow" I so need my hand holding reading this - so brave of you to go it alone . . . ; )

John Fleming
Date: 9/4/2016 7:25:00 AM

Lol! :) Thanks, Indiana...And thank you for the visit and pleasant remarks...much appreciated - Cheers! :) john

Kai Michael Neumann

Date: 8/24/2016 3:25:00 AM

I love the words you use and the move from apparition back to reality. Creepy indeed and metaphorical. Wishes, Kai

John Fleming
Date: 8/27/2016 4:59:00 AM

Hi, Kai. Thanks again for the visit and kind words - Always appreciated! I will be repaying your generosity very soon with a return visit to your good self. Till then - Cheers! Your good friend. :) john

Daver Austin

Date: 7/10/2015 3:06:00 PM

Frightening. I love it. How about a huge G minor chord from a huge pipe organ, stained glass windows bleeding red on the pews. This happened to me in old Calvary Baptist one night after I snuck in the chapel. Dumb kid was I. LOve, daver

John Fleming
Date: 7/11/2015 1:56:00 PM

Hi, Daver. Very nice to make your acquaintance. Thanks for the visit and kind comments - It is much appreciated! I love your poetic suggestion: "Stained glass windows bleeding red on the pews"...Superb!! My very best regards!! :) john

Paul Callus

Date: 6/30/2015 2:55:00 PM

The title drew me in straight away, John! Great imagery for a night churchyard visit; you created the perfect chilly atmosphere. The owl played her part well, too! I would like to pay a visit, but in daytime:) #7 Regards // paul

John Fleming
Date: 7/1/2015 1:48:00 AM

Hi Paul. Nice to see you visiting again. I hope you are in good health! Yes the owl plays her part well; another one of my poems that seemed to write itself. Glad you enjoyed the read. Cheers Paul! :) john

Keith Bickerstaffe

Date: 5/29/2015 1:18:00 PM

Brilliant language... powerful phrasing and eye popping imagery. I was transfixed throughout and was hungry for more. BRAVO John! Best wishes, Keith

John Fleming
Date: 5/30/2015 12:29:00 PM

Hello, Keith. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance! Thanks for the visit you have made to my poems and the high praise; it is all very much appreciated! My very best regards to you!! :) john.

Kelly Deschler

Date: 5/17/2015 1:29:00 PM

I loved this haunting poem and it's chilling imagery. I am adding this to my favorites! Very, very nicely penned, John!

John Fleming
Date: 5/19/2015 10:58:00 AM

Hi, Kelly. Good to see you visiting once more; you are always most welcome here! Many thanks and best regards!! :) john.

John Fleming

Date: 4/10/2015 12:12:00 AM

Glad you enjoyed it, Armand! My very best wishes!! :) john.

Maurice Yvonne

Date: 4/9/2015 11:24:00 AM

WOW! WOW! WOW! Boy you pull us right in and you never let go. I love your poetry so. Another fav for me!

John Fleming
Date: 4/10/2015 10:24:00 AM

Many thanks, Armand! Please remember you are always welcome here at anytime!! :-) john.

Lindsay Laurie

Date: 4/3/2015 6:36:00 PM

G'day John... nicely written John, and with the spookiness in your poem, I'm pleased that you made it out alive. There's a poem called - a grave situation - claude morris. It's on the Internet and worth a read, but thank you for posting this poem John - Lindsay

John Fleming
Date: 4/4/2015 2:58:00 PM

Lindsay, its a pleasure to see you visiting once more. Many thanks for the compliments - much appreciated!! My best regards!! :) john.

Scott Thirtyseven

Date: 3/30/2015 1:54:00 PM

Such an eerie feeling you invoke with this one. Well written, and pleasure to read.

John Fleming
Date: 3/31/2015 9:46:00 AM

Thank you, Scott! Glad you enjoyed the read; and thanks for the visit! Best regards!! :) john.

Edwin Hofert

Date: 3/21/2015 10:00:00 PM

I wish I could write like this. Though not envious just inspired and encouraged. Thank you John. Sincerely Ed Hofert

John Fleming
Date: 3/22/2015 2:05:00 PM

Ed, you are a most gracious and charming man! I have every confidence you are more than capable of matching my humble efforts! My very best regards to you! :) john.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/16/2015 8:25:00 PM

This is good and creepy writing. Kind of like Poe here. I enjoyed the read.

John Fleming
Date: 3/17/2015 2:59:00 AM

The poem is about a church and the surrounding area that has now changed quite significantly due to all the new houses in the surrounding fields. When darkness comes though it is still a very creepy place! :) john.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 3/16/2015 8:23:00 PM

your comment on my roller coaster poem was a lot like the way I felt seeing the picture too. Love your comment to that crazy Monica. hahaha

John Fleming
Date: 3/17/2015 2:52:00 AM

A most amazing picture, Andrea! Yes - Monica is a nuisance! Lol!! :) john.

Neva Romaine

Date: 3/13/2015 9:17:00 AM

Hey John, stopped by for a visit and found this striking poem from you so filled with scary imagery that we can almost feel the fright for ourselves. Absolutely amazing work of art! Be Blessed, Neva

John Fleming
Date: 3/13/2015 2:53:00 PM

Nice of you to drop by, Neva. Many thanks! Best regards!! :) john.

John Fleming

Date: 3/10/2015 2:27:00 PM

Nice of you to drop by again, Laura; you are always most welcome here! Thank you for your lovely compliment - it has to be one of the nicest i have ever received!! May i wish you all the very, very best!! :) john.

Laura Leiser

Date: 3/10/2015 11:46:00 AM

You captured the mood of the graveyard with an excellent mastery of descriptive words, John! I stand back with amazement at your skill! A 7 from me :)

John Fleming
Date: 3/22/2015 6:33:00 PM

Thanks, Laura! Its always a pleasure to know you have paid me a visit. My very best regards!! :-) john.

Sara Kendrick

Date: 3/9/2015 6:14:00 PM

Ghostly and ghoully work..Enjoyed reading this one today..It has an old world feel to it..Thanks for the visit to my page..Sara

John Fleming
Date: 3/9/2015 6:40:00 PM

Thanks, Sara! It has been a pleasure to see you here once again...my very best regards!! :-) john.

Nette Onclaud

Date: 3/9/2015 12:58:00 PM

hauntingly provoking, john.. i like the gothic, chant-like feel of this superb piece.. huggs

John Fleming
Date: 3/9/2015 2:18:00 PM

Thanks, Nette. Another one of my..."This thing just seemed to write itself" poems - Ah well...Lol!! Cheers, Nette! :) john.

John Fleming

Date: 3/9/2015 12:24:00 PM

Hi, Kim. Thanks for the visit and kind comments, you are always most welcome here...My very best regards!! :) john.

Kp Nunez

Date: 3/9/2015 7:29:00 AM

Grabbed my attention from start to finish...a convincing chill at the back of my neck...Great way you told the story, John. :) Kim

John Fleming
Date: 3/9/2015 12:28:00 PM

Hi, Kim. Thanks for the visit and kind comments, you are always most welcome here...My very best regards!! :) john.

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders

Date: 3/9/2015 12:02:00 AM

Captivating imagery...I was with you on that midnight walk, John, and I love the startling twist at the end from the wise-feathered friend...hugs, Rhonda

John Fleming
Date: 3/9/2015 2:37:00 AM

Thank you, Rhonda. Someone once said to me: "Are you not frightened living in that little caravan up in those woods all alone?" "No"...i replied..."Because the most frightening thing you would ever see in those woods is me!" Brother - was i wrong!! Lol! My very best regards, Rhonda! :) john.