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O' Shadow, This Soul Dares To Ask of Thee

O' Shadow, This Soul Dares To Ask Of Thee

O' 
shadow,
pray tell more
before midnight clock scores 
and in its echoes lays to waste
souls yearning for life's sweeter taste
hearts pining to youth and romance's deep appeal
not those never ending sorrows from which this dark world steals.

O' 
shadow,
do not delay
truth I thee pray
of dark clouds spinning now
about life, love and black ship's prow
shorelines weeping loud and in hot red-spit flames
pleadings from ravenous and ghastly pits, savage accursed games.

O' 
shadow,
do not deny
terror and the why
your master in secret demands
death and pains grow upon bloody hands
as it tempts we of earth and sad mortal breath
through our desires even until our woeful and weeping sad deaths.

O' 
shadow,
do these pains explain
waves of loss, life's stains
storms born from Hade's deep dark abyss
ravaging through our world as truth we dismiss
I beg do not laugh at crying heart and turn to flee
nor attempt to utterly destroy, small light flickering within me.

O' 
shadow,
fear not its wrath
nor losing way in its dark paths
speak to me, let truth thy lost heart save
as wisdom dictates, hope rewards heroes truly brave
listen as grieving heart asks for this needed reprieve
and sets about sweetest of divine mercies, saving both you and me.

Robert J. Lindley, 7-14-2019
Rhyme, ( What The Shadow May Know But Never Dare To Tell )

Copyright © Robert Lindley | Year Posted 2019

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Gregory Richard Barden Date: 7/21/2019 11:05:00 AM This is truly a masterpiece, My Poet Brother, and one I shall "favorite" and read often ... it speaks traight to my soul - in the bright AND shadowed reaches - and of so many things that are very difficult to come to terms with, (mostly, my mortality). I don't know why I'm surprised, as your work NEVER disappoints, but this one just hit closer to home, and I shall cherish it. Thank you for sharing it with us - blessings, Friend - much love & respect! :-) Login to Reply

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 7/17/2019 6:39:00 PM Oh Robert, I love every aspect of this brilliant poem! From darkness to light and to mysteries beyond. A big Fave for me! xxoo : ) Login to Reply Robert Lindley Date: 7/18/2019 5:45:00 AM Thank you my friend. Your support, friendship and kindness are true gifts and a much appreciated blessing to me.

Kurt Ravidas Date: 7/15/2019 5:34:00 PM That's what they call a unity of form and content. These stairs a reader goes down into the realm of shadows or, on the contrary, comes up to the height where there is nothing but blisful O. A perfect visualization of how poetry works. My fave. Login to Reply Robert Lindley Date: 7/18/2019 5:42:00 AM Thank you my friend. Your comment truly and deeply encourages this old and tired poet. Life does oft seem so very like struggling to walk up a set of never ending high stairs.

Panagiota Romios Date: 7/15/2019 3:36:00 PM Robert, another smashingly good piece Of your special poetic talents. Outstanding in word and format. PR Login to Reply Robert Lindley Date: 7/18/2019 5:40:00 AM Thank you my friend. I felt like creating something that had depth, truth and a bit of life learned insight.

Caren Krutsinger Date: 7/15/2019 2:54:00 PM This reminds me of the old show "Dark Shadows" which we could not wait to see every week. It is frighteningly good, Robert. Login to Reply Robert Lindley Date: 7/18/2019 5:39:00 AM Thank you my friend. I remember that old show, my mother loved it! And as a kid Barnabus(?), the vampire was not scary at all to me. Yet the show was very good....