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Notes About The Poem

A Soup poet friend of mine very sweetly showed me his recitation of my old poem "In Strangler's Wood" this week. I finally was able to get his reading of it put onto the poem (and will put it with this repost as well). He used voice changer and eerie sounds. I am not allowed to say his name. For some reason, he wishes to remain anonymous. I told him he sounded kind of like Vincent Price!

Listen to poem:

In Strangler's Wood Repost

In forest's night, the trees bend low
beneath a slice of half moon’s glow;
          silent shadows waver there,
          chilled by gusts of autumn air.

Quavering, as if afraid,
they fall on stumps from trees decayed.
     Among those stumps the shadows creep
     and shroud a form that seems asleep.

Lightning flashes . . . Thunder peals.
A sight forlorn the light reveals -
          a man, quite dead, in woolen coat,
          with scarf of death left on his throat.

The shadows saw, and now they quake,
lone witnesses in murder’s wake.
     They cannot speak, but if they could,
     they’d tell all travelers of the wood:

"We’re not the foe.  It’s one of you
that makes us tremble as we do.
          Although we loom and cause you fear,
          something worse is lurking here."

Then Thunder echoes in accord
as from the sky, cold rain is poured.
     And silent shadows start to shrink
     into a night of blackened ink.

Date: 2/9/2010
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Collins Avatar
July 10, 2021 at 7:38 PM
Hello again Andrea. Been too long. This my old friend is a soul shaker. Both to read and hear. I loved your indenting of the last lines in each verse. Just so perfect. Xo
Flood Avatar
July 8, 2021 at 3:18 PM
Glad you reposted this chilling tale, Andrea, as I had missed it first time around. Just one thing... can I come out from behind the sofa now? ;-) Terry
Watt Avatar
June 29, 2021 at 2:29 PM
It was fun to see this spooky gem of yours reposted and hear it read with the sound effects and deep eerie voice. Kudos to both of you!
Thirtyseven Avatar
June 28, 2021 at 3:49 AM
Great poem Andrea. Really enjoyed the foreboding feel.
Sambourne Avatar
June 27, 2021 at 7:57 PM
A truly superb poem, remarkable in intensity + verse. I especially enjoyed the sonorous reading of the piece that gave it added power + eerieness. Congratulations on a stellar write! Best wishes, Brian
Norton Avatar
June 26, 2021 at 4:44 PM
What a wonderful, world-class, chilling poem. I loved it. One thing I have noticed, which it doesn't seem like you get credit for, is that you often tell stories in your poems. These are my favorite kinds of poems. You do them so well. Later, alligator.
Laurie Avatar
June 25, 2021 at 9:55 PM
Hello Andrea … suitable to listen to on a stormy night. I dare say all entry points to the house would be securely locked - a riveting repost Andrea - Lindsay
Jayasankar Avatar
June 25, 2021 at 7:37 AM
Wow this is a great repost of yours dear Ria... I loved listening to the audio too... those eerie sounds.. great spooky imagery you created sweet friend... Enjoyed reading... Hugs... ~ Ani
Kannan Avatar
June 25, 2021 at 1:15 AM
A great repost, Andrea... Thank you for sharing your old gem... Lovely read and the audio is also very nice... Thanks for sharing...
Horsman Avatar
June 24, 2021 at 9:04 PM
Eerie mystic vocal, enhanced by your wonderful poetry Andrea. Sound English to me, with a touch of northern soul. Stay safe my friend.. Harry
Daniel Avatar
June 24, 2021 at 8:01 AM
Great mysterious poem and a wonderful recitation, Andrea:)
Pandit Avatar
June 24, 2021 at 5:11 AM
Wonderful images, Andrea--a bit spooky. Great audio!
Balasubramanian Avatar
June 24, 2021 at 4:45 AM
Wonderful write. Glad you reposted, enjoyed the audio too. Your poems are too good. You are a great poet none can deny. Have a wonderful day ahead friend.
Buhagiar Avatar
June 24, 2021 at 4:09 AM
Great repost. Now don't say I did not read your poem!!!
Buhagiar Avatar
June 27, 2021 at 8:08 AM
This was meant only as a joke. I have great respect to you. Hugs.
Alex Avatar
June 23, 2021 at 9:15 PM
into a night of blackened ink. Great.
May Avatar
June 23, 2021 at 8:34 PM
Thanks for reposting this scary classic Andrea, I enjoyed the read, hugs
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