Notes About The Poem

This dedication is for my son Jarried Perkins, in 1986 I lost a baby when I accidently fell down a 

Flight of stairs, the same year a little baby born was born my son Jarried he lost both his parents,

As a young child, sent from here and there. He never really had a family, but they say God works in

Mysterious ways, and him and I are living proof. I've always had this empty space you see from my eariler loss, and Jarried had one for a family. So when he asked to call me mom, and I said yes he completed me. I love this boy as if he were truely my own, you see if the love is there blood has nothing to do with it. Love you my son always mom.

The Skeleton Key

Wrought liquid metal, hued in the fire's of hell,
Pored into a castings shell, then hammered well,
By the angry fists of Satan himself, behold the skeleton key.
Accursed by evil's malevolent spell, one size fits all,
No locked doors can resist against its turnings twist,
Opening unto the supernatural's mystical power, and unlocking
Humanity's hidden passages and darkest corridors,
Leaving no secrets left unspoken or in silence.
Crimson blood spewing forth from corrupted key holes, oozing
Downwards unto the floor below, staining ancient
Tapestries of the royal gentries, and the upper classes refined.
Skull to the cross bones, it possesses a will of its own, 
A vile living entity, with its own consciousness.
Molding, reshaping itself at pleasures dark whim, 
Feasting on hatred's malice, then releasing it unto the world
Of men.
A twisted wanton thing, laughing with intentions cruelties,
And relishing in our agonies pain.
But *****sapiens are a curious species, never realizing when to
Leave things well enough a lone.
We must know what lies beyond that forbidden
Door, where mankind is not allowed to trespass.
In these dark places of shadows ethereal, it rocks in a fetal 
Ball, a creature, waiting to be disturbed, go then seek what lurks therein,
If you dare, only the key knows what it really is, and it laughs,
At our ignorance, mocking us in the darkness.
Four it is the beast, chained and shackled within our worst
Nightmares, a fierce devilish demon, that pierces through the
Darkest of night, to hunt the innocent souls of wayward men.
You've have ventured to far, beyond thy safety zone of no return.
Four death lies in those reddened eyes that watch you within 
The darkness.
If you move it will attack, motions movements attracts
Attentions reactions, so remain frozen there is no safety's retreat
Thou'art trapped, again the key so laughs in the abyss,
Mocking at humanity's ignorance.
Shaking with anticipations glee, it begs the next
User to place it into the key hole, of the unknown, come along 
Now what can it hurt, just one little peek, let’s look beyond the crimson
Door, as the skeleton key heckles with unbridled happiness.

BY: CHERYL ANNA DUNN
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

A   Avatar
October 7, 2014 at 6:19 PM
So much dread in this poem. I love it, Cheryl, I like the twist, and chains mocking in the dark. This was an awesome poem to read. Thank you once again, for the dedicated poem. Love Ya, Linda
Callus Avatar
October 6, 2014 at 4:57 PM
This is excellent Cherl. I'm lost for words! Your visits to the world of darkness have no limits...and each time you come out victorious thanks to your fertile imagination and great imagery. Coming up with this skeleton key subject is already an accomplishment in itself. // your note is sad and lovely at the same time. Take care. // paul
Mcdaid Avatar
October 4, 2014 at 2:53 AM
so very beautifully penned cherl i tip my hat golden piece
Bateman Avatar
October 2, 2014 at 3:13 PM
Cheri . . . Another classic exposition on your part!! I will try to read all of your works over time. I just joined PoetrySoup on 9 August, and so I am just starting to get revved up with a number of different themes and topics that I'm approaching. I will continue being eclectic with what I do, but I will still write dark theme pieces too. Your work, "The Skeleton Key," leads us down that perilous path to that revulsive "wanton thing" waiting for us with the turn of the key. Excellent!! Gary
Onclaud Avatar
October 2, 2014 at 12:53 PM
riveting, beautiful composition leaving me reflective and awed, Cheryl... I am speechless!.. huggs
Kiser Avatar
October 2, 2014 at 6:09 AM
Well said..."But Homo sapiens are a curious species, never realizing when to Leave things well enough a lone." Why we don't...I'll never understand, but you've said what needed to be said, with this poem.
Yvonne Avatar
October 2, 2014 at 5:12 AM
Very captivating, beautiful imagery though dark. A wonderful read. thank you
Martin Avatar
October 1, 2014 at 11:53 PM
Excellent write,full of dark brooding imagery
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace