Notes About The Poem

4/30/2024 for Pick a line and like a Hooked Fish run with it Poetry Contest sponsored by John Lawless

Seven Uninvited Guests

The gathered, outside my house, lingered long,
As if it were Halloween night -
A rogue's gallery of goblins and ghouls,
They were an unwanted sight.

Their faces had a strange semblance of masks,
Looking like twisted versions of me.
Yet, they wished to completely devour my soul,
Piece by piece, by degree.

Drooling, they looked under the mat for a key,
But I would not come undone.
I vowed that I wouldn't let anyone, in - 
Of the seven, not one.

In the black of night, there first appeared Doubt.
Who was not good enough.
He needed to do more, but he couldn't,
Because it was too tough.

Next, stood his brother, known as Regret,
Who had done it all wrong,
Thinking every minute of past mistakes, 
The agony to prolong.

Guilt slouched in shame, staring at the ground.
Surely, he was to blame.
He didn't exactly know what he did wrong,
But he did it just the same.

Fear trembled in place, unable to move -
Knowing, but knowing not why
A horrible thing would happen soon,
And that maybe he would die.

Anger seethed; he'd find a way to get even, 
And would never let go.
Holding his rage, bringing himself and his foe  
To the depths of Hell below.

Expectations looked to others for a clue,
And wondered what he should do,
He didn't even know himself, it's true.
And had no dreams to pursue.

Control couldn't find a way to be content.
Things as they are were not right.
The world itself and the people within it 
Caused him to struggle and fight.

As dawn awakened, the sun rose in the East.
The goblins left, one by one.
They had given up on their ghoulish feast - 
Opening my door, they were gone.

I shouted a "hello" to my new friends -
My bestie I call Sunshine.
The others are Confidence, Hope and Love,
And I am feeling fine.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2024

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Edmonds  Avatar
April 30, 2024 at 4:25 PM
Great poetry David, I’m glad the goblins and ghouls left one by one, that your new friends will stay with you forever from now on… Beryl
Crandall Avatar
April 30, 2024 at 5:46 PM
Thanks Beryl!
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