As Darkness Falls

As darkness falls without, it also falls within;
where listless slumber slowly takes me by the hand,
leads me to a place where I relive every sin
while Lilith does foretell what fate for me is planned.

The darkness not yet deep enough for me to drown
the fading light not bright enough to shine the way;
I fear the rabid laughing of the coming clown
as he performs his ghastly, nightly cabaret.

Old Harlequin will dance and whisper in my ear
and tell of all dark things that lurk within my soul;
for these, not those without, he knows, are what we fear.
Come here, my dear, abide with me, he will cajole.

Then, as he ventures forth to give his foul-breathed kiss,
unkindness host of ravens swoop, take out my eyes;
then, slowly I dissolve to silence, darkness, bliss;
another night, I have denied the devil's prize.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025



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: 1/14/2025 12:41:00 AM
Impressive. Terry. Your opening line I give a ten. and every line that welcomes us to a new paragraph of the yarn, that draws us into a darkness thought left behind and then leads us back to safety for now. welcome to 2025 for better or worse Terry. Poetry of this caliber might just give the year a bit more balance and hope. Regards David
Login to Reply
Miller Avatar
Terry Miller
Date: 1/15/2025 7:31:00 AM
Oh wow, high praise indeed David, thank you so much for your too kind comments and visit, indeed welcome to 2025. This is a theme I visit regularly, and am not yet finished with.
Date: 1/4/2025 2:11:00 AM
- Gives the reader goosebumps, Terry ... skillfully written - hugs
Login to Reply
Miller Avatar
Terry Miller
Date: 1/4/2025 8:20:00 AM
Thank you Anne-Lise, and a Happy New Year - hugs back
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

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
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Hide Ad