Lin Lane Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Robert's Iron Maiden Contest ** March 19, 2025

Shadows of the Valley

There are times when I wander in the dark,
unsure why darkness seems to claim my soul.
I'm overcome with sorrow from the things I fear
and reminded of scripture about a valley of shadows.
Can I walk in such a place unafraid of death?
Is it the temptation of demons that I dread, 
and with the strength of a three-fold cord of hope 
can I turn them away? In battle can I be strong?

The world has become a sea of madness 
filled with moral conflicts and mental chaos.
I feel lost in the turmoil of my consciousness,
trying to drone out the crying of external sounds,
but I hear the incessant caw of ravens screeching,
and internally I struggle to make sense of it all.
Their foreboding cries foreshadow the end is near
and overwhelming angst is a burr in my soul.

I choose not to walk in a shadowed valley
for up from its depths, I may never return.
Desperately, I search for a way to climb the hills
and leave the prison of despair that oppresses me.
I want nothing more than to rid my life of shadows,
those that burden me with loathing and abhorrence.
Time to find the courage to face the soulless demons. 
No longer laying in fear as the dark raven crows
I'll look for guidance from the one who knows.

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thriveni c mysore March 22, 2025 at 1:40 AM Intense. congratulations on your win dear poet. cheers!!! Lin Lane May 13, 2025 at 1:36 AM thank you, thriveni.

Karen Jones March 21, 2025 at 11:10 AM Another wonderful write wins! Congratulations Lin! Lin Lane March 21, 2025 at 12:18 PM Thanks ever so much, Karen.

Robert James Liguori March 21, 2025 at 10:16 AM Beautiful piece. Thank you so much for entering my contest. Congrats on placing. Lin Lane March 21, 2025 at 10:17 AM You're very welcome, Robert. I appreciate my poem being placed on your list. ;-)

Daniel Henry Rodgers March 20, 2025 at 5:47 AM Dear Lin, I envy you that you have the time to write so many poems of quality. This one seems very Iron Maiden and so raw, so vulnerable, and you capture the struggle between darkness and hope in such a powerful way. I could feel the weight of every line, but also the strength in your resolve to rise above it all. Haunting and inspiring and good luck in the contest! Spring Blessings, My Dear Friend, Daniel Lin Lane March 21, 2025 at 10:17 AM Thank you for reading my poetry, Daniel. Your loyalty doesn't go unnoticed, and I appreciate the time you take to go into depth with your insight. You always feel what my words are trying to express.

Duke Beaufort March 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM Lin, this is a journey that confronts many. How do we retain a good feeling when there are so many dark forces afoot? You make this seem so real, but we know our lives (many poets here) are filled with joy. What you've described might be what a psychiatrist would navigate when treating "Trump and Musk psychosis!" BTW, that could be an alternate title (LOL). Smiles!! Lin Lane March 19, 2025 at 8:58 PM They certainly seem to be psychos, Duke. I wasn’t very familiar with this song but I thought I could do it a modicum of justice by using some of the lyrics. It was a fun challenge. Thanks a lot.

Ink Empress March 19, 2025 at 11:14 AM Dear Lin, Its so good to see you write for this contest, and i just quickly went and listened to this song, cus i didnt remember the name, and its a brilliant song! The melody is awesome, and your poem goes so well with the lyrics! Not surprising that you can nail any form any theme and any prompt just effortlessly in the most eloquent manner! I really love the opening lines and your wordplay and also "The world has become a sea of madness filled with moral conflicts and mental chaos" that hits just so very deep as thats what we see right now around the world! And it feels like its getting worse! I love the depth of this poem and everything youve expressed in such a profound manner! Best wishes! Sending you light always Lin Lane March 19, 2025 at 11:46 AM Hi Ink. I don't think I've ever written for one of Robert's contests but did after you suggested I take a look. Thank you for the many kind words you said about my poetry. I'm grateful for your friendship. I edited a few lines before posting, but it was one of those writes that just kept flowing after borrowing a few lines from the song. Thanks again and good luck to both of us. Hugs.

CayCay Godwin March 19, 2025 at 10:34 AM I laugh that both you and Andrea have written for this contest because I can't imagine either of you ever rocking that band! I never cared for them so I'm not playing contest. That being said, who needs Iron Maiden knowledge/love to appreciate the beauty in your lines that heart linger, reflecting emotions we all feel. CayCay CayCay Godwin March 19, 2025 at 12:57 PM Oh, I was also a denim clad, rock n roller - just never got anything from heavy metal but a headache. My Dad once paid me $10.00 to wear a dress to school which in the 70s was good money ... CayCay Lin Lane March 19, 2025 at 10:50 AM Hey lady! I was a cool chick in my younger days! Not a big fan of Iron Maiden but everything except heavy metal. Thanks for appreciating my endeavor into the dark side of music. Hugs dear friend.

Tom Cunningham March 19, 2025 at 5:40 AM You take your reader on a very dark and forboding journey Lin , hopefully the sun will shine bringing hope. Tom l Lin Lane March 19, 2025 at 6:10 AM I should apologize for leading you into the shadows, Tom, but I'd like to think we both found a way out by the end. ;-) Thank you for comprehending the journey's intent.

David Kavanagh March 19, 2025 at 5:40 AM Well it’s said for every valley there’s a mountain Lin, getting to the top of it though seems an impossible task, but doesn’t mean we cannot at least try get to higher ground, a dark foreboding piece here Lin descending into chaos, (like most Iron Maiden songs) although you give the reader and possibly yourself a chink of light at the end, an extremely well written piece, all the best for contest, cheers David Lin Lane March 19, 2025 at 6:09 AM That's a good comparison to life being a roller coaster ride. Ups and downs, sometimes feeling like you're inside out. You read my lines perfectly for I hoped Iron Maiden's lyrics would come through in what I tried to convey. If there's no chink of light, there's no hope and there should always be some way out. Thanks for your insightful thoughts and good luck wished in the contest, David. ;-)