The Evil Eye

The darkness, now descending, floods the city as it dies
while shadows lurk in legions 'neath the looming Evil Eye.
Its frozen stare envelops all, it penetrates and pries,
denouncing loathed dissenters to the keepers in the sky. 

One’s inner thoughts are well descried before they’ve passed one’s lips
and cruelly crushed with grim contempt twixt despots’ fingertips;
but if no taboo-idea’s found, with which to come to grips,
the stymied Eye dispenses pus as fabrication drips.

The Eye peers down upon us now, to conquer and control,
and mark our every movement, whether hiding in a hole
or preening like a purple parrot perched upon a pole.
Our welfare and our happiness? No, certainly not the goal.

While phantoms fade, then reappear within the urban sprawl,
the gloom (adorned with Evil Eyes which pierce the livid pall)
pervades the ache and agony that poets sometimes scrawl
of plenitude to penury, how life endures the fall.

And should the herd dare whisper words of freedom's fragrant bloom
or murmur sighs of worriment at earth's impending doom,
the Evil Eye will squint a bit at those who so presume,
condemning nascent unchained thoughts to wither in the womb.

The Evil Eye bores everywhere, a tattletale to Kings,
who scrutinize their puppet people, strumming on their strings,
extracting secrets of their souls like spiders plucking wings
that flutter with the hangman’s knot as the corpse of freedom swings.

Yes, Princes rule with tungsten fists wherever they may roam
and sip from golden goblets, nectar, sweet as honeycomb
while peons (stripped of mind and soul) stray never far from home,
with faces 'neath the iron boot, thrust deep below the loam.

And peasants pass, parading by to fill the golden urn
with pennies for the afterlife wherefore the faithful yearn,
though screams of babes with empty eyes are never of concern
to those who covet silver coins, eyes cold and taciturn.

To hide the pains of purgatory, far-flung distant shores
(on islands of containment) cache the dingy dungeon doors
and inquisition water-boards that buoy their holy wars,
while sandmen drape our eyes with dust, with rainbow metaphors.

We’ll know the party's over when there's little left to eat
and all the learned scholars, lean, stay silent when they meet -
the Eye, withal, will spawn distrust on matters indiscreet.
The signs are all around us - even sheep no longer bleat.

                        Epilogue 
One sightless seer scans the skies and mourns the heretofore.
Nine limbless men descend the stairs to find there is no floor.
Eight tongueless women babble, telling tales of nevermore.
Four earless children drown within the ocean's muted roar.

When hope becomes defiance, ask: Will bedlam soon arrive?
Will doves appear above us all? Or drones to guard the hive
while fed with milk and honey by the Queen and kept alive
to gut the gale below them? Will we let the Eye survive?

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014



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Date: 4/14/2015 11:36:00 AM
More than just words and greatly significant lines for a wonderful day as this. I am happy to stop by. Great write and keep it up because I will still come knocking at the door of your wonderful pages.
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Date: 12/6/2014 1:09:00 PM
epic and wonderful story.
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Date: 9/28/2014 1:32:00 PM
The imagery in this write is truly awesome and the rhyme so smooth. The Evil Eye rests within us all , for allegiance was sworn by man's first downfall. Adding this gem to my fav list and rating it a 7. Will check out more of your writes soon.
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 10/18/2014 1:17:00 PM
Thank you for your kind words, Robert... much appreciated!
Date: 9/25/2014 7:44:00 PM
Terry . . . I had to check out your "Evil Eye" here. I mark this one as a favorite. I too have written some dark stuff. The imagery and metaphors you weave in and out throughout your write is compelling and quite enchanting. The Evil Eye also bespeaks of some of the things attempted in some of the 1950s Sci-Fi movies. The eyeless seers and legless, earless, and tongueless men -- all great images. The one is a "7" in my book!! Best Wishes, Gary
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 9/27/2014 4:17:00 PM
Thank you, Gary, for your kind words!
Date: 9/19/2014 3:24:00 PM
Spot on!
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Terry O'Leary
Date: 9/27/2014 4:17:00 PM
!!! Thanks Dan
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