Just Looking For Peace

Hating all noise and inane tv violence,
a young man sits home cringing and weeps.
 Talk of a serial killer pervades the news:
 how one finger of his victims he keeps.

Looking for peace, the young man goes to fish.
So glad that he finally has gotten away,
he sets up his tent to camp in the woods,
till a stranger then comes and ruins his day.

The old burly guy has a barking dog,
and he’s endlessly pounding in stakes.
The young guy tells him: Please quiet your dog.
How much more of your noise must I take?

The bothersome man refuses to budge,
so the younger man finds a new site
but finds the old man won’t leave him alone
and has camped right nearby him that night.

By dawn, the man's dog lies dead on the ground.
How the sobs of that older man linger. . . 
Last straw for the young man! As he drives away,
on his seat lies a new bloody finger.


Written 5/29/13
for Roy Jerden's Enter the Poems to keep you awake at night Poetry Contest
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

Poem

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

12
Cavanaugh Avatar
November 9, 2013 at 4:21 PM
Yes, that story would have kept me up when I was younger. All I can say is the old man was at the wrong place at the wrong time.
Babcock Avatar
June 12, 2013 at 9:59 PM
AA creepy camp fire story ha ha. Nice scary tale you have woven. love phyl
Austin Avatar
June 8, 2013 at 9:35 AM
Someone must have given that sicko the finger when he was younger. Frightening! Love, daver
Dietrich Avatar
June 8, 2013 at 10:55 PM
hahahaha
Seal Avatar
June 1, 2013 at 7:25 PM
Hiya Petal, This sure has prompted me to get one of those rubber mallets and a dog muzzle lol. Hey, this another,'If you go into the woods today', poem from you. Sure is a lot goes on in them there woods round your way. Chilling write, Take care, Richard
Horne Avatar
June 1, 2013 at 3:38 PM
wow, love this creepy one - it's got to be a big winner
Beaufort Avatar
June 1, 2013 at 2:29 PM
This has a real unexpected twist. I like the subject matter. It gets into the brain. You have been very kind with your comments. I will be back to visit your work when I have a little more time--I have been very busy working and miss your exciting words.
Kovrlija Avatar
May 31, 2013 at 12:55 PM
Very expressive and well-written poem. In other words-beautiful as always.
Hicks Avatar
May 31, 2013 at 1:12 AM
CREEPY! That ending caught me off-guard (which I believe is the point of a horror story). I was imagining something completely different when I read your title... misleading titles are fun, haha :)
De Burca Avatar
May 30, 2013 at 6:13 PM
OMG as my daughter would say. Well done, this is like a prelude to a 80's slasher film. Nicely penned.
Richards Avatar
May 30, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Yikes........I love to go camping,, but perhaps I will rethink my next trip!! This will do well..........Roy will like this Hitchcock tale!!
K. Avatar
May 30, 2013 at 10:39 AM
I really enjoyed reading this one, Andrea-- I am quite the sucker when it comes to reading about serial killers and stuff like this... you really weave your tale well here, that flowed and in quatrain (something which I can't pull off easily) ... I really liked how you set the tone here as well.. now you got me craving to read a good mystery thriller...been a while since I last read a novel. hugs to you!
Gasun Avatar
May 30, 2013 at 10:19 AM
Hello my dearest friend, Andrea! How are you? Hope you're doing well. You wrote again a very beautiful poem my dear friend! I'm so glad & so delighted to read it tonight. Always a winning piece for me. I want to say congrats for this great work & belated big congrats on your many recent wins. I'm sorry, I seldom visit here esp. this wk. 'cuz I'm so busy. I'll come back to read more of your work ok. Thanks a lot for sharing this. Have a great day & take care always! Big hugs! love lots, Leonora
Goff Avatar
May 30, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Schneikies! Andrea! Am in northern minnesota on lake superior's shore....ravens arc nearby and give me that steely stare....like "so ya think yer the king up here, dude? THINK AGAIN!" will keep alert now fer sure! Love, jimbo
Lamoureux Avatar
May 30, 2013 at 8:31 AM
Good morning Andrea, I hope you are having a great day.
Devnath  Avatar
May 30, 2013 at 8:29 AM
It's very expressive piece. Good luck my friend. Loved always, bl
Zerbst Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 8:40 PM
Brilliantly pieced together! I think this is a winner!
Zerbst Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 8:40 PM
Perfect title too!
Anglesey Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 5:54 PM
That one gave me a chill ... A very engaging story and then BAM ! You spin an awesome eerie tale ...great creativity :)
Moore Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Crazy!! Loved it! Very creative and well written...xxoo Holly Moore
May Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 4:14 PM
I thought it was the other guy!.....well penned Andrea
Oyewole Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 3:48 PM
Very charming story! Hope to see it on the list. Well done. AO
Maverick Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 3:20 PM
Wow Andrea..I think this guy would keep me awake by day as well as night.." and now I know where all those fish fingers came from...L O L)) hope you win big here.."
Onclaud Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 2:16 PM
giving the chills bit delightful in content.. . This really gives off the feeling of slow suspense, andie... did this really happen?... downright superb!..congrats on all your recemt eins.. will try to catch up..:) huggs
Lamoureux Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 1:55 PM
It looks like you will have to keep looking, no peace will you find here. You will find a piece of his victims hand, does that qualify?
Johnson Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 1:28 PM
Unjustified insanity for peace and inhumanity. A tale of vengful woe and sacrilidge. The darkest hour came and went when not a care was ever spent. To reconcile an evil thought to build a friendly bridge.
Poet Avatar
May 29, 2013 at 1:02 PM
A captivating story here Andrea.Very nicely penned.Enjoyed very much.
12
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace