Portal - part 1

Today, this black oak forest will become my grave. 

A crow caws in the distance and I swear it is calling my name. I have never believed in omens or curses but perhaps there are such hateful things in the world. The winter air has a nip to it, causing my nose to run. Instinctively I reach for a tissue but then realize, it's a trivial thing. Who cares? I'm going to have a hole in my head in a few minutes, why give a flip about a runny nose? The absurdity of it makes me chuckle. All my life I never had anyone show me love or kindness. No one to cherish or even remember my name, excepting of course this stupid crow that seems bent on taunting me. 

Everything needed is at my side. The letter. My blanket. This shiny, silvery, sinful savior of lost souls. I suppose if someone were here, they would try and talk me out of it. But that in itself is a joke. Who would even come? Who would care enough to try?

grey sky above me
luminaries hoard their light
darkness takes my hand

Just one more duty to perform, one last sentient act of free will. Carefully, I lay the blanket on a soft bed of snow. Its whiteness is so peaceful. It literally pains me to think of the contrasting red that will defile it. Gently, deftly I lie down, staring at the sky. Caw! Caw! Paul! Paul! Whatever, it doesn't matter. Nothing matters now. Perhaps nothing ever did. I pick up the gun. It is ice cold in my hand. Death should be like that, I muse; icy, cold, alone. I take a deep, long breath, then begin the countdown: Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five - wait! A voice is calling me, no, whispering to me. No raven this. Feminine. I raise myself up and inadvertently drop the gun. There, a few feet to my left a hand, reaching out of nowhere. No body, no face, just an outstretched hand and a distinctively female voice whispering Paul, Paul. I reason that I must be going insane. Adrenalin rushing through my veins has caused my brain to hallucinate, for such a thing as this cannot be. And yet...

Reluctantly, like a frightened child, I grasp the hand before me. With a sudden jerk I am pulled into another realm, another dimension. A blue-skinned alien with mahogany hair and kaleidoscope eyes stands beside me. There are yellow tears streaming down her cheeks. Though her lips don't move I hear her say, "Buckle up Paul. The adventure is about to begin!" With a combination of fear and wonderment I ponder: What lies ahead for me? 

black hole or worm hole
cosmic transport in process
celestial buzz


To be continued...
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 2/17/2025 11:43:00 AM
"Portal—part 1" is a captivating and unsettling short story told through free-verse poetry. You've skillfully created a sense of atmosphere and suspense, drawing the reader into the protagonist's dark and despairing mindset.
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 4/1/2025 1:39:00 PM
:)
Date: 6/22/2024 3:49:00 AM
I love your opening line, Tom: So many myths have been lost over the centuries but they are inherent in our spirits. If we can get close to them we would find answers no one ever thought of. What was once fiction becomes real. Remember the power of words. Off to see part two. Gonna follow you down this worm hole. SuZ
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 2/16/2025 3:30:00 PM
:)
Date: 5/30/2024 6:36:00 AM
Beautiful. Well written & soothingly Composed Thoughts or Should I say vision. The scenery is well explained, As a reader I felt immersed in the Plot of this Piece of Literature. For a Moment Felt the Calmness at first then Grief and then strange Curiosity? For the Next part. Suspensive Portal? Hm Unexpected.
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/30/2024 12:42:00 PM
Hey thx! Hope you enjoy part 2
Date: 5/25/2024 3:54:00 PM
I've always said reading your stories is the best thing. It flows without distractions like the river. So engaging, I didn't want it to stop. Love the imagination and creativity. Paul needed another realm to remind him of how valuable his life is and how grateful he should be for it. Cheers, Dear Tommy.
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 9/13/2024 10:34:00 AM
Thx so much Tonye. Sorry I missed this
Date: 5/22/2024 5:24:00 PM
Tom, you have a knack for storytelling! It was a pleasure to read, and I can't wait to see what happens next. At least there was no blood spilled!
Login to Reply
Date: 5/22/2024 11:02:00 AM
I enjoyed reading your very creative/wonderful "Portal-part 1" write/great picture/ending. Are you watching the ranch on Tuesday nights??? If not, I bet you would love it. Have A Blessed Day Writing Away..................
Login to Reply
Date: 5/16/2024 5:48:00 AM
Creative, scary, futuristic, and I hope not real thoughts, but just a made-up story. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by my page. Sara K
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/16/2024 2:37:00 PM
Part 2 even better
Date: 5/12/2024 4:33:00 PM
Wow! I look forward to reading the sequel. I'm on my way .... And thank you for this!
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/12/2024 5:11:00 PM
Hey thank you!
Date: 5/11/2024 7:39:00 PM
' Black hole or Worm hole. ' At this point, either is better than a gun to the head. A little nervous though, because I'm not sure what will happen next. Gotta read the second part, to find out. :)
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/12/2024 6:13:00 AM
Right! Anything to escape the moment
Date: 5/11/2024 10:11:00 AM
Oooo!!! So sci-fi... one of my fav genres! It's disturbing but captivating... creative. Can't wait to read on.... so I won't! Headed over to second installment...xo-C
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/11/2024 12:52:00 PM
Yes ma'am and thx
Date: 5/10/2024 9:32:00 PM
Great story.... so gripping. Beautiful narration. I am eager to see what unfolds.
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/11/2024 6:04:00 AM
Thx for supporting
Date: 5/8/2024 1:03:00 PM
wow, what a story. Wish I had time to see the next part. Will it go on for more than two parts? Lovely storytelling.
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/8/2024 6:37:00 PM
No, just two for now. Thx
Date: 5/7/2024 11:42:00 AM
When one is so alone, the little voice inside becomes god-size, while a metamorphosis morphs, in the protagonists case, an annoying crow. Love your sci-fi, a series no doubt, and how you broke for an explanatory Haiku. Genius!
Login to Reply
Anaya Avatar
I Am Anaya
Date: 5/8/2024 10:55:00 AM
"Spaceman" he bares his soul to a giant space spider
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/7/2024 3:34:00 PM
That was an interesting thought I hadn't considered. Thx
Date: 5/7/2024 10:04:00 AM
Hello Tommy. I’m with all these comments - I found it immensely gripping and atmospheric. You really are one of the best for writing a great story with added haiku’s for effect. It held the reader’ s attention from the first word to the last. Dramatic pic too! You can always tell a great, well written story when you are left wanting to know what happens next … so … part 2 here I come! :):)
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/7/2024 3:34:00 PM
I'm glad you like it Christina
Date: 5/7/2024 3:49:00 AM
Oh wow, gripping from beginning to end. Cant wait to go and read part 2....Hugs
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/7/2024 5:10:00 AM
:)
Date: 5/6/2024 9:24:00 PM
So captivating and lovely, Tom!. I love a great science fiction story. :)
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/7/2024 5:10:00 AM
Awesome!
Date: 5/6/2024 7:00:00 AM
Your talent is illuminated by this write. Off to part 2.
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/6/2024 3:25:00 PM
Kewl
Date: 5/6/2024 6:07:00 AM
An intriguing tale, Tom--much mystery surrounds, as intended, to capture the reader as you guide this journey---What lies ahead? Let me read part 2 now. Splendidly mysterious!
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/6/2024 3:25:00 PM
Yessir and thx
Date: 5/6/2024 4:49:00 AM
Most surreal Tom' yet gets you thinking.'
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/6/2024 3:25:00 PM
Got me thinking. Fosho
Date: 5/5/2024 11:46:00 PM
You are an excellent storyteller! This may look long but it was such an easy read. Flawless and intriguing and kept me hooked from the very start! Its so professionally done and delivered , one that needs to be published somewhere for many to read. Thats how good it is, not being biased but as a reader i can tell, and i must also highlight how the opening especially these lines made me smile “ No one to cherish or even remember my name, excepting of course this stupid crow that seems bent on taunting me. ” so witty! Hah! Good one and the ending is clever how descriptive you were along with the seamless alliterations and flawless haiku!
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/6/2024 3:24:00 PM
You're the best!
Date: 5/5/2024 1:00:00 PM
I am sure this is fictional, it is a gripping narrative that plunges the reader into the intense emotions and existential turmoil of the narrator. The opening line, "Today, this black oak forest will become my grave," sets a somber and dark tone, immediately drawing attention to the gravity of the situation. It masterfully captures the existential angst and emotional complexity of the human experience, while also inviting contemplation of larger cosmic themes and the mysteries of the universe.
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/5/2024 4:29:00 PM
Ahhh mystery no more. Part 2 available now. Thx much
Date: 5/5/2024 9:37:00 AM
Amazing. This is so emotional. I especially like darkness takes my hand.
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/5/2024 12:22:00 PM
"Hello darkness my old friend..." Thx
Date: 5/5/2024 7:06:00 AM
the bell jar meets the twilight zone..you certainly know how to spin a story, albeit a strange one..weird but well written
Login to Reply
Puddifoot Avatar
Charlotte Puddifoot
Date: 5/6/2024 7:49:00 AM
i wouldn't block you
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/5/2024 3:23:00 PM
Whew! I take pride in most of them, but not you. Thx
Puddifoot Avatar
Charlotte Puddifoot
Date: 5/5/2024 2:09:00 PM
very accidental, how odd, sorted now :)
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/5/2024 12:29:00 PM
Hey, you have me blocked. I'm sure it was accidental?
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/5/2024 12:22:00 PM
Weird writing, weird guy, it all makes perfect sense. Danke
Date: 5/5/2024 3:51:00 AM
A wonderful write. Hope to see its sequel. Incredibly tantalizing.
Login to Reply
Woody Avatar
Tom Woody
Date: 5/5/2024 12:21:00 PM
Hey thx Vic
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter