Gary Bateman Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Author`s Notes: Dark Shadows is a free verse I completed on March 22, 2018. This one is another of my walking-on-the-dark-side specialities. The theme, words, and imagery speak for themselves. This rather grim place in one not to visit in your dreams -- or else! Enjoy the dream! (Gary Bateman - March 22, 2018) (Free Verse)

Theme Categories: dark, emotions, evil, feelings, metaphor, spiritual, and symbolism.

 

Dark Shadows

Dark Shadows

A grim place where
you dare not go
in your dreams

for “spirits” there
know all about
your anguish
and
your fears

as the sum of all
bad things
you have
done and hidden
from others in life

and 
it is there
in this realm of the
uncanny and evil

those 
dark spots 
indelibly marking
your soul—
shall receive their
due measure

and so—
hold your tears
face your fears
accept your fate

for “spirits” there
shall judge thy fate
and they . . . 
shall not wait
nor . . .
shall they care

pray you wake
now
to end this dream

Luciferin flies 
now swarm and swirl 
above and around
illuminating a path
in these deep—
Dark Shadows

awake now . . .
awake now . . .
awake now . . .

The Dark One Comes!

his judgment
shall be . . .
 
swift
and
without
any
mercy

this is your last chance . . .
awake now!

Gary Bateman, Copyright © All Rights Reserved
March 22, 2018 (Free Verse)

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Linda Milgate September 6, 2018 at 12:52 PM Interesting poem life is not always flowers and light, but glad you gave us an out!! Gary Bateman September 6, 2018 at 4:20 PM Thanks Linda!! I very much appreciate your read and comment here. Having a way out is always important in writes like this one. Best Wishes, Gary

Darlene De Beaulieu April 27, 2018 at 12:27 PM Hello Gary, I would not want to be in that dark spot. have a nice day my friend. Gary Bateman April 27, 2018 at 12:44 PM Hello Darlene, Thanks for your read here of "Dark Shadows." Yes, for sure, this is a dark spot that one should always avoid at all costs!! Best Always, Gary

Paul Callus March 31, 2018 at 11:29 AM Definitely dark, Gary! Unfortunately we have little or no control over our dreams, but a safety valve is available...waking up in time! Regards // paul Gary Bateman April 1, 2018 at 12:48 PM Hello Paul, Best Easter Greetings from Ingrid and me!! And, very good to hear back from you!! I'm glad you took a read of "Dark Shadows." (I still write some poems in this genre, at times, when I find a theme worth pursuing.) "Walking Up In Time" is a good option to follow when each of us enter a world of Dark Shadows!! (LOL!!) Best Wishes, Gary

Liam Mcdaid March 25, 2018 at 7:36 AM in those dark shadows awakens our very fears when coming face to face with nightmares excellent pen painted in the realm of night gary wishing you both a blessed palm sunday Gary Bateman March 25, 2018 at 9:31 AM Hello Liam Mate!! Thanks for you astute comment here as always!! I always say, when the "nightmares" come out, be sure to wake up immediately and have nightcap nip of a glass or two of fine Irish Whiskey. The leprechaun in the bottle shall protect you!! Not a bad thought, eh?? Cheers and Best on Palm Sunday, Gary

Susan Ashley March 23, 2018 at 4:54 PM Hi Gary, your intriguing title implies a sense of unease that aptly sets the dark tone for your poem. Your grim poem is so intensely felt because you deftly use our built-in vulnerabilities in darkness and sleep, where we are physically and mentally defenseless unless we wake up, that maximizes the effect of your dark symbolism and imagery perfectly. Beautiful use of metaphor in your thought provoking poem of the lurking evil that nightmares are made of. A meaningful and excellent write and a FAVE too!! Best to stay in the Light always ~Susan Gary Bateman March 25, 2018 at 9:27 AM Thank you too Susan!! I really appreciate your additional thoughts below!! I am very grateful that you find me to be a positive influence on your poetry. I noticed right away the careful structuring of your poetry and the superb level of meticulousness that you adhere to in everyone of your poetic efforts. I try to read your poetry whenever I can. I'm also working on the manuscript for my second book of poetry that I plan to have published by Spring 2019. And, when darkness exists, goodness and light shall always prevail. Best Always, Gary Susan Ashley March 23, 2018 at 9:04 PM Thank you, Gary, for your very kind words - and as for our poetic observations being similar, it's because you are a wonderful influence on me. I've learned so much from you by reading your poetry and reading your comments on my poetry as well. It's by writing of Darkness, recognizing it for what it is, that we can deeply appreciate and cherish Goodness and Light and I know that you are a true crusader, my dear friend. Warmest wishes always.. Gary Bateman March 23, 2018 at 8:11 PM Hello Dear Susan!! Thanks for your very compelling review here of this free verse write of mine. (You're beginning to make poetic observations of writes similar to how I do. I usually do so when I know a poem is crafted meticulously and the poet shows passion and discipline as you certainly do in all of you marvelous poetry. (Thanks for the FAVE too!!) I write a lot about Darkness, but I am really a crusader for Goodness and the Light!! Best Always, Gary

Maria Williams March 23, 2018 at 8:41 AM Hi Gary, So glad you allude to the safety mechanism in our makeup that urges us to awake from a nightmare dreams, in your very meaningful write . I mentioned in one of your earlier poems that I can seriously say that I've never had a nightmare - I sleep like a log (can't say like a baby) because babies usually wake up crying - perhaps they too had a bad dream and their safety mechanism kicked in. I am going to put this in my FAVE list..Maria Gary Bateman March 23, 2018 at 8:00 PM Hello Dear Maria!! Thanks so much for your wondrous comments here -- and for the FAVE too. (I guess if I put safety mechanism in all of the future writes like this one, I can't go wrong achieving a FAVE, eh?? LOL!!) And so you are one those who have never had a nightmare?? That is unusual, but also a good thing for you. I was away from the Soup for a short while, but still writing. Book Two of mine lurks in the future for Spring 2019. I will be by your site later!! Cheers, Gary

Silent One March 23, 2018 at 7:18 AM Sounds like a real dark place and somewhere no one really wants to go, but our mind can lead us there, especially if we are not strong and positive.. A great free verse poem.. Gary Bateman March 23, 2018 at 8:28 AM Thanks Silent for your comment here and for your observation. That's exactly how I intended Dark Shadows, as grim dark place that if one were to arrive there in one's dreams or happenstance, that person best pray for absolution of their sins immediately and pray they wake up in time. Best Wishes Always, Gary

Vijay Pandit March 22, 2018 at 6:44 PM A dark depiction as you say Gary.. but there is a message of goodwill that urges to be awake to guard against evil .. well delivered! Gary Bateman March 22, 2018 at 6:51 PM Hello Vijay, You are certainly right here by what you say. I most usually try to leave a path back to the light in my themes I write about in this particular theme-genre. Many Thanks for being the first to comment here on my poem!! (I've been a way from Poetry Soup for over a week.) Sometimes, breaks are necessary!! Cheers and Best Wishes, Gary (P.S. I will get over your way soon to check out your latest and greatest writes!! GB)