Best Unnerving Poems
THE DOLL
With Mona Lisa wiles, unfurled.
Her porcelain lips with tight grip.
A button dress antique and pearled.
Her glass eyed threat.
Unnerving doll — she’s quite a trip.
A poignant face, pompadour curls.
Her long stem rose replaces whip?
Alien smile out of this world —
impenetrable craftsmanship.
I broke in pieces as she hurled
her glass eyed threat.
6/30/2019
Why do they call it 'tourist season'
If you're not allowed to shoot 'em
Seems like a great opportunity
To end the over crowding problem
If a house fly loses both of its wings
Would we have to call them 'walks'
Is it possible to have a civil war
Of course not that's just silly talk
Any idea what the best thing was
That came before sliced bread
If a turtle somehow loses its shell
Is it homeless, naked, or dead
I find this saying quite unnerving
“Practice” is what doctors do
And braille on drive-through windows
Find that kinda scary don't you
If a parsley farmer ever gets sued
Can they legally garnish his wages
Well that's enough of this silly talk
At times I go through these phases
© Jack Ellison 2012
Multi-channel stream meanders in the carved valley,
concert of murmur cascades melody on sculpted rock.
I place my ears on the flow of the whistling air,
but the sound of music flies past me unheard.
Summer rains fall in torrent on parched tree,
the rhythm of aria ripples on dancing leaves.
I keep my subtle senses alert in the scene,
but the symphony fades away unperceived.
Out of sync sounds I can’t relate to, dissipate
in the depth of silence.
From the cacophony of unnerving distraught clamor
voices return unlistened to where they came from,
for the stark reality remains hidden unsaid
in unreachable abyss of marooned minds.
On the winter path tracing infinite distance
feelings freeze like sleet on trail unwalked.
Buds of emotion withers away unbloomed
in the forlorn frigid shore of arctic hearts.
I want to reach out to all these cold people,
but their faces drift away like formless cloud
beyond the sea of silence.
On the tranquil shore of life waves of tempest break,
the palace of fantasy I build with the sands of time,
no one comes in, collapses in water grave,
for people disappear in engulfing noise
of wind-swept trees and surging waves.
Detached, I hear the primordial tune within
where slice of universal soul in me resonates
with the sound of silence.
July 28, 2019
Listen to the trees…
how dark their voices in the moonless night--
unnerving shades that only today were bright, green, sunny things;
and now their quivering leaves, remind me more
of scarecrow sleeves,
nearby not a bird would light
unless he were a terrible sight.
Listen to the wind…
storm voice near the distant eye--
Listen! Listen! Listen! Such a thunderous cry!
There!--the last ray of sunlight gone, in a fester of billowing clouds;
with the last quiet moment, in a splatter of furious sounds;
down the torrent upon us
the wind like sickles and mowing blades;
Listen! Listen! Listen!--to the trees now toppling shades.
Yet, in the midst of all madness--
the air, a hornet of frantic leaves;
wind tugging at our garments,
flapping and fluttering like scarecrow sleeves--
a quiet comes over us;
halfway through passes a silent eye;
blesses us with a peaceful moment;
reassuringly winks good-bye….
How long will this dreary night go on
Seems years since the dawn of morn
Why does anxiety keep me awake
What is this burden I cannot shake
Heartbeats too fast within my breast
Too quickly to grant needed rest
There's no moon above to cast light
This crepuscule gives birth to fright
I smell the wax of candles burning
but something keeps me from turning
If this be a dream, I pray, let me wake
for I've a thirst and hunger to slake
My eyes are open, and yet I cannot see
the willow outside; my weeping tree
"Fear not," I warn myself in voice aloud
the moon must be cloaked by a cloud
I call out for Davinia, in angst and fear
but my dear wife is not sleeping near
I long to glimpse morning rays of sun
Harried for never-ending night to be done
Only sleep could bring a measure of peace
and from shadowed night to have release
but I seen to be shackled to the beast
who fights the dawn's rising in the East
Of going insane, I fast approach the brim
tortured by thoughts, dark, dank and grim
Whispers I hear, mawkish murmurs dim,
"What will become of Davinia without him"
Who speaks of me in grammar, past tense
Someone who's lost all sentience and sense
Fragrant air 'round me grows warm and dense
Could that redolent odor be flowered scents
A memory haunts my sleep deprived brain
It's of a brutal nature, and cold falling rain
An act of violence, like the angry sin of Cain
A man's life taken; from a dagger he was slain
Motionless in rest, but not on my feathered bed
This unnerving moment is one I most dread
In a sepulcher, on a satin pillow, rests my head
In eternal darkness am I to dwell, among the dead
Eye Contact
Some said he had those scary eyes,
unnerving, somehow seeming to look
clear through, capable of seeing the
truth – of you. They didn’t stare at
you, just sort of found you and held
you in an eerie embrace. There was
a glint to the eyes, a sharpness to
the edges, a weary, and wary, wiliness.
And yet, they drew you in, these cold
and smoldering, blue-gray questioners
of all they see. Tight lines rimmed the
edges of the pools, white tipped lashes
fanning and refocusing the laser looks.
And then they smiled, as if something
had just reminded them of a pleasing
sight, a soft sunrise rose across his face,
a gentle fox to kit wink, an unguarded
moment on the parapet of life.
John G. Lawless
9/16/2014
For PD"S A poem you have not entered in a contest #12 poetry contest
Further days are passing, lapsing long
Upsetting to unbecoming
At dawn, always loneliness undaunting
That continues on...
By inward breaking in
Will it ever come to fruitions end
The offsetting, untiming, to complete unnerving
This I ask myself, as the sun and I are quickly becoming
Sinking, drowning friends
Deep into each others night of nexus, merciless and unrelenting
The drag of it, an exasperating friction exhausting
By this not forgetting, beneath the spotlight of a taunting moon
As too soon, again the beginning
Of, the into giving
Another phase unto going through
And hence, once again to my own undoing
Upon this orb I do not move, but yet I am spinning, drifting
With a consequence left of, more of nothing, more
But, creeping cracks eroding, what once was forever yours
Of this tattered soul, that now must face its first inquisition heartbreaking
About a love in a tilted world, serendipitous it seems, only when it's still
Or, a branding upon a human’s fragile heart
With "why's" which one will never be fully comprehending
Or rather a hope that may never even be fulfilled
Powder puff clouds drift in dark dusky sky
Obscuring the moonbeams way up high
Murky shadows dance upon the street
Unnerving passers-by as they meet
Skeletal winter branches wave their fingers
in swirling grey mist, see how it lingers
I hurry past as the shadows frighten me
Their ghostly forms are plain to see
Bright moon peeps round and brings me light
Its shining face is such a reassuring sight
Creepy shadows are slowly diminished
My midnight walk will soon be finished
I hurry home as the shadows slink away
They will rest now and return another day
As soon as dawn breaks, the eerie shadows die
Bright golden sun will illuminate the sky
11~15~15
Younger wanting to be older
Older wanting to be young
Child wishing to be bigger
Bigger wishing to be thinner
Teen wanting a clearer face
Clearer face wanting a better body
People lamenting bad hair days
Bad hair days replaced with no hair days. . .
We diss what we have
Wish for what we lack
When what we have is gone
Oh, what we'd give to have it back!
Youthful desires for future yearning
Future bearing down like a train
Elders' memories of past unnerving
Hit by a train never the same
shhhh...please don't tell Jan I tattled on her.
Did you hear 'bout Jan's custard a-la-plum
While making it she drank far too much rum
while on her wobbly legs
put mustard in the eggs
It was wretched and tasted like pond scum
Her hubby asked her for a large serving
But the rum made Jan wiggle while swerving
'Twas a messy mishap
She dropped it on his lap
Jan laughed but hubby found it unnerving
He asked why she thought that was so funny
Jan sipped more rum then said, "Sorry, honey"
She sat upon the floor
and drank a few gulps more
then slurred, "It wath a smidgeon too runny"
The enemy tortures my mind
Sends me trouble that I can’t right
He whispers in my ear of all I’ll find
When I look for joy, peace and light
There will be anger, despair and strife
He will send worry and depression
All the things that destroy my mind
Please, God, keep the enemy away from me
Force him to leave me alone within
Where all this trouble harasses me
And causes me to question my very sanity
Please God, get the enemy to leave my mind
Fill me with joy, freedom and insight
Let him know he has no control over my life
That you are my strength and you’re always right
The enemy tries to control my very heart
With torturous words of all that is unnerving
He brings me pieces of heartbreak to linger on
And touches my soul with disillusionment
He always wants to bring me down to his level
Where there is nothing but pain and the devil
But, God, will answer me and free my heart to be
Joyful and happy, filled with gladness unimaginable
Please, God, keep the enemy away from me
Force him to leave me alone within
Where all this trouble harasses me
And causes me to question my very sanity
Please God, get the enemy to leave my mind
Fill me with joy, freedom and insight
Let him know he has no control over my life
That you are my strength and you’re always right
Don’t let him near me, my glorious God
Keep me in your presence where I can find peace
Never leave me nor forsake me, sweet Jesus
Forever bring me closer to your spirit
Please bring me closer to thee, my Prince
I'm too nervous to resurface,
it's not that I'm worthless
or don't want to work for this,
my motive sits motionless.
Can I bring it to your attention
I need an intervention
to save me from selfish behavior,
a salvation of circumstances
serving me chances to be my own saviour,
challenging this circling hell that prances
unnerving me a certain future
of out of service hope and mischance
where I can't sense my humour.
I'm not stood with hands out
looking for handouts,
I just need that first time wind up
to get the engine ticking
and give reserves corrupt
and vigorous in control of my mind a good kicking.
It's as though I'm not the one that drives
this life I ride,
it's as though I'm not one with any drive,
a life without pride,
but I believe I can once again strive
if I find my stride,
I will breathe and bleed myself alive,
I might be lost but I've not died.
Sinister Eye
Something sinister this way comes.
Ominous clouds have gathered overhead.
Unkept rhythm of beating drums.
Relentless feeling of unnerving dread.
Fallen leaves wrenched from their slumber.
The sun has fled from the frightening scene.
Flash of light and rolling thunder.
A distant creatures cry sounds like a scream.
Falling rain crashes on the ground!
The violence is like a nightmarish dream!
Roars and howls blot out other sound!
What brought about this dreadful fiend?
The evil eye has now passed by.
The fiend has lessened its projected fear.
But those with wings still dare not fly
The other sounds you can begin to hear.
As quickly as the Devil came,
The calmness returns like it was before.
The clouds depart to halt the rain,
And the sun bares down its warmth once more.
Rest my heart Lord;
Sooth my mind God;
Give me your truth, Father;
As I come before the alter;
Give me your grace, please;
May I have your mercies Lord;
I pray this day that you grant me;
A solemn peace, grant me sweet release;
Comfort
Comfort
Joy
Peace Lord
Peace Lord, Please God Peace
Jesus is…this is what I’m longing for
Jesus this…this is what we’re looking for
In the chaos
In the valleys
In the asphalt jungles
In the heat of the night
In my sins
In the rims of unnerving plight
Comfort, comfort my people
Come to us Ah! Jesus;
Come Oh Lord come;
Come, come Oh Lord come;
Comfort, comfort my people says your God
4/6/19
Written word by James Edward Lee Sr. 2019©
-Isaiah 40:1
To be a mother is to be
rain and sunshine at once
to drown oneself while saving another
and to give hope while being hopeless.
To be a mother is
exciting and scary
with bouts of anxiety and care
preaching self love while hating self
To be a mother is to be
a safe haven and a shield
to endure and suppress needs
while giving off self without restraint.
To be a mother is nights of sleeplessness for a sick child
and sorrowful prayers when it gets worse
to wake up tired and exhausted yet smiling
to tend and nurse
To be a mother is to be everything at once
to see and understand without any clue
to finish sentences and endure tantrums
to want to cry, disappear and yet cook at the same time.
To be a mother is to blamed for not doing enough
and accused of doing too much
to sacrifice and still be sacrificed
to know pain deeply like a first name
To be a mother is all this and more
it is rewarding, fulfilling and unnerving
a gift and a semi curse
it is a blessing mixed with pain, pride, grief and sacrifice.
To be a mother is to want to be a god
And yet fail
it is to read this poem and relate to it
and to pick a line and say - this is me.