Notes About The Poem

The Dark Side of October

The Dark Side of October

Late October moon is waking, through this cemetery shaking,
shaking as the cold wind breaking, walking ‘neath an old oak tree.
Stones like sentries undertaking, guarding graves as hearts are aching,
aching for the still ones staking, such an eerie sight to see –
dark and dreary, I’m so leery, such an eerie sight to see –
     is this but a reverie?

In the graveyard shadows shimmer, dark of night is growing dimmer,
dimmer still without a glimmer, shadows ‘round the old oak tree.
Shadows dancing ever nearer, nearer still and getting clearer,
clearer like distorted mirror, twisting ghastly sight to see –
growing vastly, looming lastly, such a ghastly sight to see –
     certainly a reverie?

Piercing sounds are penetrating, ear drums deafening pulsating,
ringing louder, devastating, echoes off the old oak tree.
Echoes bouncing screeching grating, ever louder agitating,
instigating, fears creating, from this ghoulish sight to see –
Am I mulish, maybe foolish, such a ghoulish sight to see –
     surely just a reverie?

In the dark my head is spinning, round and round these sights imprinting,
fusing on my brain beginning, questioning my sanity.
All these sights and sounds are weighing, weighing as the ghouls are playing
playing as they do their preying, preying on my vanity –
I am praying, ghouls are swaying, preying on my vanity –
     have I lost my sanity?

Eerie night just seems persisting, lasting as my mind is twisting,
waiting for daylight’s assisting, lighting up the old oak tree.
Eerie sights and sounds now fading, dark of night for daylight trading,
light of day is now invading, leaving me to clearly see –
seeing nearly, life so dearly, oh so clearly now I see –
     must have been a reverie….. 
         or have I lost my sanity?



July 26, 2018
Copyright © | Year Posted 2018

Poem

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George Avatar
October 6, 2022 at 9:05 AM
This is such an interesting poem, very alliterative. We the readers are caught by the charm of your word play. I have read your poem- 'Like A Book' and have fallen in love with it.The eerie atmosphere you have created here is baffling and the style is so different ! You are indeed so gifted. Congratulations John on your win.
Gondolf Avatar
October 6, 2022 at 6:25 PM
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for reading my poetry, Valsa, I appreciate it so much. John
Delaney Avatar
October 6, 2022 at 6:08 AM
Well,John….. this one is just fantastic. I could feel such panic arising. Kudos on your writing of this and for your excellent placement. My little offering to the contest seems like a wisp in comparison. Lol SuZ
Gondolf Avatar
October 6, 2022 at 6:24 PM
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and comments, Suzanne, I’m glad you enjoyed it. John
Roekaerts Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 8:09 AM
I was looking for lying in the shadows and came across this instead. Wow. You write poetry in such different styles and form, can hardly believe its the same author. The rhythm of the poem evokes the sensation of rising panic perfectly. Reading the poem was as close to experiencing what the poem was describing as it gets. Masterpiece
Gondolf Avatar
September 1, 2020 at 9:14 AM
Thank you, Tansy. I like to challenge myself once in a while. Sometimes it can be difficult with so many internal rhymes; this poem actually took about 8 hours to write. This is written in the same meter as "The Raven" by Poe. I have another one that I wrote about a month ago "Forever in Delirium" that is written in the same meter. John
Ashley Avatar
June 28, 2019 at 8:00 PM
It is a delight to return and enjoy this amazing poem once again, John. Congratulations on your excellent win. Warmest wishes always.. ~Susan
Gondolf Avatar
June 29, 2019 at 10:24 AM
Thank you so much, Susan, I appreciate your warm wished. John
Marcum Wong Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 12:40 PM
I remember reading this remarkable poem, but where is my comment John?? Congratulations on your very deserving win my friend. I loved this. xxoo
Gondolf Avatar
June 26, 2019 at 12:54 PM
Thank you, Connie, I appreciate thoughts. I never delete comments so I don't know what happened to yours. all the best my friend. John
Nicole Avatar
December 6, 2018 at 10:45 PM
You have succeeded my friend, on creating an amazing Poe like poem. :) I remember reading this. Congratulations John, on this win. ~ Brandy
Gondolf Avatar
December 7, 2018 at 4:20 AM
Thank you for your kind words, Brandy, I appreciate it. John
Hawley Avatar
December 6, 2018 at 10:17 PM
I love your motivation for this poem and congratulations on your win.
Gondolf Avatar
December 6, 2018 at 10:26 PM
Thank you, Miranda, I appreciate it. John
Barden Avatar
December 6, 2018 at 6:28 PM
Best wishes and sincere congrats on your win in Nina's contest, John - blessings to you and yours for a joyous holiday season, my friend! :-)
Gondolf Avatar
December 6, 2018 at 8:28 PM
Thanks, Greg, I appreciate it. Happy holidays to you and your family as well. John
Canerdy Avatar
December 6, 2018 at 6:19 PM
CONGRATULATIONS on your well-deserved win, John. This is GREAT! Janice
Gondolf Avatar
December 6, 2018 at 8:15 PM
Thank you, Janice, I appreciate it. John
Stewart Avatar
August 22, 2018 at 11:36 AM
Absolutely spectacular to read, very enchanting! Well done!
Gondolf Avatar
August 22, 2018 at 11:57 AM
Thank you so much, Anastasia, I appreciate your comments and visit. I'm glad you enjoyed my eerie poem. John
Roper Avatar
August 12, 2018 at 6:44 PM
Fantastic imagery and rhyme, John, congratulations on an excellent win! Hugs Eve
Gondolf Avatar
August 12, 2018 at 7:07 PM
Thank you so much, Eve, I appreciate it. John
Gentry Avatar
August 11, 2018 at 8:52 PM
Oh I like this!! Great rhymes and imagery. Congratulations on your #1 win. A fav for me. Enjoyed.
Gondolf Avatar
August 11, 2018 at 9:19 PM
Thank you, Susan, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the fav. John
La France Avatar
August 10, 2018 at 2:15 PM
John congratulations on your win in my contest with this beautifully penned piece!
Gondolf Avatar
August 10, 2018 at 2:19 PM
Thank you, Constance, and thanks for hosting the contest. John
Ashley Avatar
August 9, 2018 at 9:59 PM
John, your excellently expressed poem is deep, dark and eerily moody.. Congratulations on your wonderful win! Warmest wishes always my friend.. ~Susan
Gondolf Avatar
August 9, 2018 at 10:14 PM
Thank you for your wonderful comments, Susan, I appreciate it. Best wishes. John
Wolf Avatar
August 9, 2018 at 9:01 PM
Haunting poesy, masterfully composed, John: A well-deserved win for you in the contest. Best wishes, Gershon
Gondolf Avatar
August 9, 2018 at 9:46 PM
Thanks, Gershon, I appreciate it. John
Allison Avatar
July 29, 2018 at 6:36 AM
such a spooky poem John I love the impact of the repeated lines:-) hugs Jan xx
Gondolf Avatar
July 29, 2018 at 7:07 AM
Thank you, Jan, I think the repeated lines keeps the poem flowing and keeps the reader interested, I think it’s called chain verse. Thanks for your comments, glad you enjoyed it. John
Dietrich Avatar
July 27, 2018 at 8:29 PM
Ahhh, I see you did a Poe type poem here! I remember a contest once where we had to mimic this style. You did it very well!!! Love that ending!
Gondolf Avatar
July 27, 2018 at 8:41 PM
Thank you, Andrea, I appreciate it; glad you enjoyed it. John
Rodrigues Avatar
July 27, 2018 at 7:38 PM
Fantastic! A poe-like poetic thrill of words! Love this! Fave, dear John!
Gondolf Avatar
July 27, 2018 at 8:09 PM
Thank you, Kim, I appreciate it. I was channeling Poe on this one, I’m glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the fav! John
Nicole Avatar
July 26, 2018 at 2:49 PM
Yes, it is getting close to that time of year. This would make a great Halloween poem. Eerie, and so creepy. You have set the mood perfectly. Don't let lack of comments get you down, as your words have touched the page, and that is what matters. Your thoughts have been set free. ~ Brandy
Gondolf Avatar
July 26, 2018 at 3:53 PM
Thank you, Brandy, I had intended to hold this poem a couple months before posting it, perhaps I would have more reads if I had held it a while. John
Y. Avatar
July 26, 2018 at 10:22 AM
Wow! John, What a dark and spooky poem you have penned. Your skillful pen created such riveting imagery. It put in the mind of a Halloween write. I enjoyed it very much. As always excellent job. P.S, I hope to see you soon:-) Alexis
Gondolf Avatar
July 26, 2018 at 10:48 AM
Thank you for your wonderful comments, Alexis, I felt like this was a pretty good poem but no one has had much to say about it. Thanks for your support my friend. John
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