Notes About The Poem

This work is fictional as I am in excellent health

Skeleton

Ghostly frail figure,
    that I am now,
neath nebulous moon,
  where I shed  tears,
    on brambled verge,
as thin bones quake,
  emaciated earthly being,
     whose nocturnal solace,
 bereft of suave signage, 
   with a deathly sickness,
icily immune to healing,
    taut threadbare skeletons,
  prone to clinical diagnosis,
never fugitive in closet,
 nor courtroom strict sanction,
   cordoned off camera setting,
  where  splurge of guilty scruple,
     in atonement an utter ruse,
 yet musings mercurial lurk, 
   as the net of darkness threatens,
  indignant isolate me stranded,
     whilst casting mirrorlike,
         reflections shed under veil,
   of  midnight mosaic,
on my mishap strewn life,
   due to brittle bony,
       fragmented awkwardness,
    that wreaked wild havoc,
with long term intimate bonds,
   commonly entailing excess,
 swing by to overflowing wards,
    I eschew self-pity, period,
      so vain and vacuous,
         alien and anathema,
     barren rattle cerebral 
       sqeamish stream of, 
          inlaid tract, 
   rumination razor-sharp,
    from emaciated mortal, 
       whose stealthy lurch,
  is frame vulnerable,
    torrid touchstone,
      as skeleton key,
    gaining ingress to,
 stubborn locked doors,
  syndrome blight,
    hailed as,
lean skinny shell,
 resignation rare,
   stoic coexistence,
    copper-fastens
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Empress Avatar
July 28, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Theres a very heartfelt voice within your lines so profoundly worded! I love your metaphors, alliterations and also the way youv paired words together! And the depth of emotions expressed truly moved me! Sigh! Especially the opening and the ending here dear Howard! I think also many can resonate with “ I eschew self-pity, period, so vain and vacuous, alien and anathema,” just impeccable and soulful! So much delivered here so poetically! Pleasure reading ~ Sending you light always
Rodgers Avatar
July 28, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Hello Howard, What a hauntingly brave and unflinching piece of work. You strip away every layer of pretense, standing bare before the midnight mosaic with a stark, jagged honesty that cuts right through the bone. May the coming hours bring a quiet stillness to your spirit, far away from the heavy nets of darkness. Blessings My Friend, Daniel
Sharma  Avatar
July 28, 2026 at 5:49 AM
Oh my, this is so poignant, dark and vulnerable.. especially with the way you've painted the imagery here, feels gothic and sharp ~ I could really see the quaking bones and feel the "nocturnal solace" through your words, dear Howard. I really love the opening lines "Ghostly frail figure, that I am now, neath nebulous moon, where I shed tears, on brambled verge" so deep and profound! The ache really has its own echo here! So many brilliant word-pairings such as "midnight mosaic" wow and "in atonement an utter rise.." that's very soul-stirring. What a wonderful write! Sending you light and best wishes always ~
Kerr Avatar
July 28, 2026 at 6:35 AM
Your poetic insights, Hiya, on my posts point me in the direction of improvement. I have learned so much from your every critique. They are wise, precise, and uplifting. Invariably you emphasise the most creative aspects of my posts which I value. Best of luck to you in your contest entries. Sending you warmth and care, Howard
Kendrick Avatar
July 28, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Creative bony skeleton work, Howard. I wonder if that skeleton is alive or dead. Way to go. Sara K.
Kerr Avatar
July 28, 2026 at 6:16 AM
Thanks for that as always, Sara. As it is ficttional and doesn’nt bear any resemblance to my life I have to give you an evasive answer. I actually don’t know. Warm regards,
Smith nee Howarth Avatar
July 28, 2026 at 3:28 AM
So many awesome words linked together
Kerr Avatar
July 28, 2026 at 3:34 AM
First of all, thanks for reading this work and the time involved whilst doing so. I appreciate your constructive comment. Howard
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