Gothic Fantasy

On a dare
        full well knowing its reputation
                            the evils lurking up there
I took a small tent on my back
    a bottle of whiskey    cheese and meats in my pack
And    just before sundown
    with handshakes from friends    laughter    safe wishes all round
Ascended
Climbing steadily
    the way quite long    quite steep    a fall would be deadly
Then    at very summit    tired    sweaty    bent
    unpacked my small canvas tent
                                          on the rock-smooth ground
And even at that early hour thought I heard    in the distance
                    the howl of a wolf or a Baskerville hound
Growing dark now
Oh how black this night might be
    a night with no moon
        no rocks to give shelter    no trees
Alone in that gloom I built a fire
    a small fire with what few twigs I could find
Now    again that distant howl    and in my mind see
    blazing red orbs in the midnight mist
                                        looking out at me
           adding doubt    mounting fear    cold sweat to my misery
Energy nearly spent
    I found it impossible
        in sheer rock
               to drive wooden stakes for my tent
So    I sat by my small blaze    on that bare mountain
    wrapped in a blanket
        now too midnight-dark to try a descent
Just at the witching hour a strange wind came up
    and though I hovered o'er
                         put out my fire
Then    this smell
    (aroma is far too nice a word)
                on the wind
                   stench from the pit of HELL!
All Satan's demons in circle appeared
    the night lit up by my smoldering fear
They shrieked    laughed    belched hot lava
Hear those hounds of Hell
    and by winds-eerie music
      dance their drunken bacchanal
Pierced by searing pitchforks    body on fire
    smoking    pleading    scorched down to an ember
It was the DEVIL'S voice    close to my ear    cursing me
                            the last I remember

But   HARK now!
My rooster crows from my hovel's dirt floor
I'm in my bed
In poverty's room
    far removed from the horrors    the mountainous gloom
          and safe from red SATAN'S eternal doom
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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George   Avatar
May 29, 2014 at 7:19 PM
Wow!!! What a tale you tell Daver. I loved every word of it. It has been awhile since I have been at the soup, but I just wanted to drop in and say hie and read your wonderful writing again. Love, Lainie
Dietrich Avatar
April 20, 2010 at 12:29 PM
Oh, my goodness, Daver. Go read my poem I just posted for the "leave me hanging" contest. Is this one a dream?? Because my poem I posted was a dream and I could not reveal the ending, but it's like yours. I dreamt of Satan. so scary!! By the way, I am seeing your name is dave austin, but amy is insisting your name is Raustin or something like that and I started to doubt myself and agree with her (because of your email address) Luv, andrea
Wordslinger Avatar
May 9, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Very intense, hard as the surface written in the poem, very good. I to have been ambushed by demons, So when are we going camping, lol
Rhinem Avatar
April 9, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Smile~Yes, you do have quite an imagination do You not~along with a very gifted ability to write I can surely see!!:)~"Hello Daver, Good To Finally Meet & View Your Words My Friend!!":)~And fortunately for Yourself, it was all but merely a dream! Or, was it but a dream? Smile, either way, "Wonderful Write My Gifted Brother!!:)~"My Love Always To 'You & Your Loves,' John!!:) Happy Easter Daver ~
Curcio Avatar
April 6, 2009 at 5:34 AM
Boy what were you drinking? (I know it's a fantasy) Sounds like Absinthe - or some shaman's hallucinogenic concoction. Quite a journey you took me on there :-D PS - I love reading your comments on my poems. Thank you. And I agree - there's nothing worse than eating out and getting lousy food!
Winter Avatar
April 5, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Aww Daver, here I am again thanking you. So appreciate your thoughtful wishes and congrats. You are a total sweetheart. Thank you so much. Hugs, Shar xoxo
Winter Avatar
April 3, 2009 at 7:20 AM
Daver, you are too sweet! Thanks for your thoughtful comment and for your explanation. Will definitely look that up for a listen (read?) as my daughter is getting married tomorrow and I am insane and shouldn't even be here!!!! Love, Shar
Ginn Avatar
April 3, 2009 at 6:36 AM
OMGosh I could hear you moo ha haaing in my ear, gave me the creeps and made me eeesshh my shoulders, you evil little man. I will muster enough courage this weekend to listen to the thingy Ive already forgotten the name
Ginn Avatar
April 2, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Boy I'm with Sharon. Such an ominous write. Note to self,,,never go climbing with Daver!
Winter Avatar
April 2, 2009 at 4:09 PM
What did you eat before going to sleep??? Serious good writing that held the reader captive and would not let go. Deliciously dark. I could have read several pages of this, at least. Is there more? Hope so. Love, Shar
Devonshire Avatar
April 2, 2009 at 10:23 AM
Brilliant poem, Daver! I felt like I was with you on the journey up the mountain; your images were so clear and compelling. The torment when the devils voice is heard has been well foreshadowed in the prior verses. Love the way this poem ended, too! Great work!
P. Avatar
April 2, 2009 at 7:17 AM
loved the imagery... you really got me on the egdE! ~ Arany
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