James Burns Poet Quatrain

My Torment

A fleeting still small voice tries to warn me
A sudden overwhelming desire to run
The tell tale taste of metallic flakes
Means my nightmare has begun

Everything around takes on a ghostly pallor
A landscape of anguish and corrosion
A moment of silence before the violence
The flash of light, the brilliant explosion

The sound of the Sun fills my ears
Fear, my throat, though none escapes me
And paralyzed I clench my eyes
As my tormentor prepares to rape me

And it's endeavor is absolute
Consumption is its ultimate goal
It exists to chase me so it can erase me
Whilst feasting on my soul

And then that familiar salty smell 
The sudden rush of warmth so stings
Engaging me relentlessly
In vile unspeakable things

Over and over and over again
My limbs stretched and wrought
As it's teeth tear my bones bare
It's mind defiles my thoughts

And still wounds beget wounds beget wounds
As in the mouth of madness I suffer
And with every injury he just seems to be
Rougher and rougher and rougher

Then just as suddenly as it began it ceases
And for a moment I am clearer
And then the true horror of it all
Is revealed in a darkly lit mirror

There in front of me stands my destroyer
Face flush with it's fill of my pain
And I find that it's eyes and mine
My God, they’re one in the same

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Richard Lamoureux December 2, 2017 at 8:36 AM This caused the hairs on my arm to stand on edge. Disturbing but brilliant in how you crafted it.

Geoffrey Brewer November 30, 2017 at 6:29 AM A dark, powerful and effective poem, written with sensitively chosen words of a natural poet.

Poet Destroyer A April 12, 2016 at 11:32 AM wow, that was epic James Burns. linda

Carol Sunshine Brown August 2, 2011 at 9:52 AM Congratulations on your poetry making it through round one in the PoetrySoup International Poetry contest James B. I wish you the best in the final round. Love, Carol

Karen Dominick August 2, 2011 at 8:50 AM Delighted to see this deserving poem included in the 1st round of the contest! Its hauntingly beautiful! - Best, Karen

Carol Sunshine Brown July 5, 2011 at 6:17 AM Congratulations James, on your poetry being featured this week. May your poetry bring inspiration to others as they read it. Love, Carol

Timothy Brumley June 4, 2011 at 3:51 PM Deep and powerful dark thoughts here James, Sometimes we're our own worst enemy for sure. Nicely written:)

Karen Dominick February 9, 2011 at 9:34 AM Wow Scott! This poem also gave me goosebumps and the experience of what its like to have a part of your heart torn out. The power of your words is a force to be reckon with ---remember that you are always the master. Keep sharing your amazing talent with the world! Love & light baby! ---Karen

Marilyn Hernandez January 31, 2011 at 2:45 PM Oh man, I love it...I LOVE IT! Goosebumps! Reminds me of so many thing (all creepy) but VERY good. I got some pretty vivid imagery with this one and, while scary, it was also quite brilliant! Very Silent Hill and Berserk (not sure if you play video games or read/watch manga/anime). Also rings true to my ears because, like you, I am my own worst enemy, self destructing and eating myself alive. Ok, I'm going to shut up now and just add this to my favs...and btw, thanks for your wonderful comment.