Four Little Rooms

He lived in four little rooms
locked behind the door.
And the night shined through
where a light shined before.
A red flame burned ashen gray,
dying on the floor.

So you move yourself along.
And grind on down.
And scrape the path you drag around.
Stumblin’ on the way.
A new day with no grace to say,
starin’ down the ground.

They’re softer lies to swallow
when you’re drunk.
Or when you’re full of faith
and barely saved.
It’s only things that fade.
And leave impressions in the dark.
And demons in the haze.
Sunlight burns night away,
turns darkness into day.	

So sing inside your walls.
And make the lamps low.
And watch the white screen glow,
black on grey.
The words that you say.
And drain yourself away.
Another night burned white by day.
Oh my Darkness, I beg you stay.

Are you fated?
Or are you led?
Well either way the moon will grow.
And spread out wide across the snow.
Piled high and ploughed.
Raised between the lines.
And layered across the years.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

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Ashley Avatar
February 4, 2024 at 5:01 PM
Dear Robert, the sad emotions portrayed in your rich poetic imagery is dramatic and dynamic. The intensity of desperation builds to, and is embraced by, "I beg you Darkness, come again!" a powerful moment! Your artistic use of rhymes enhances the elegant poignancy of your verse. I adore the questions and surrender of your last stanza for a deeply moving impactful finale to a haunting poem. An exquisite creation. Congrats for your win in Brian's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Schatz Avatar
February 5, 2024 at 10:25 PM
Wow! Thank you Susan. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your comments. It really means a lot.
Schatz Avatar
January 22, 2024 at 6:31 PM
Thank you Jeanette. You definitely get the vibe of it. Cheers!
Swan Avatar
January 22, 2024 at 3:31 PM
There is a sadness evoked in these lines, locked inside, yet I'm glad the moon still gets in- the light in the night (and brighter than the screen). Hope lives.
Schatz Avatar
January 24, 2024 at 12:54 PM
Thank you for the comments Jeanette. I so appreciate it. Your comparison between the light of the moon and the screen is really interesting. I never thought about it that way. But I see how it would be (or is) implied by the screen being "black on gray." Food for thought on my end. Cheers, Bob
Schatz Avatar
January 12, 2024 at 6:24 PM
Thank you Ink Express!
Empress Avatar
January 12, 2024 at 12:23 AM
This is so deep and so well written, your rhymes add such beauty to your well crafted lines. I enjoyed reading this. Especially “ So sing inside your walls. And make the lamps low. And watch the white screen glow, black on grey. The words that you say. And drain yourself away. Another night burned white by day.“ how lyrical is that! Definitely a fave for me
Schatz Avatar
January 12, 2024 at 2:30 AM
Thank you for your kind comments Ink Express. I think you among the most talented poets on here, and so your positive comments mean a lot. Much gratitude, Bob
Dietrich Avatar
January 11, 2024 at 12:58 PM
So serious and thoughtful. A reflection of self that is descriptive.
Schatz Avatar
January 11, 2024 at 3:09 PM
Thank you Andrea.
Greenhough Avatar
January 9, 2024 at 5:52 PM
I appreciated this deep, convoluted poem. It had a lot to say, I was struck by "the softer lies to swallow when you're drunk". That line pulled it together for me
Schatz Avatar
January 11, 2024 at 3:10 PM
Thank you Hilda.
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