Late Night Writer
Spirits of the dead showed me hell, but it was a pale imitation
of the horror I can paint on the darkness in a quiet moment.
― Mark Lawrence, Prince of Thorns
Late at night—
Write
Whatever my heart
Sings—
Even melodies
Of pain for you.
So, forgive me, Love,
The places I go
You can't come...
But if you did,
You'd run—
Be frightened terribly.
And I'd grieve
Whatever you found
in me.
John, absolutely spectacular!! We can never hide inside our own minds, can we?? And your last stanza, "And I'd grieve/Whatever you found/in me./ The emotions are stunning. You truly have a gift!
For several reasons, your poem made me think of a Stephen King essay titled, "Why We Crave Horror Movies". I used to give it to my senior English classes. Check it out if the fancy strikes you:) Cheers!
Thanks, Lynne - I will definitely check out Stephen King's essay - and add it to my prose collection ( in case I ever go back to teaching) lol
I didn't know you had been a teacher John! I bet you were awesome at it :) Although you probably get more kudos here then you ever did there haha
thanks, Lynne - definitely get more kudos here! I couldn't stand the politics of teaching, especially being in a leadership position, but I loved my students and still keep in touch with many of my former colleagues - As a matter of fact, I just chatted with a former student ( 10yrs. ago) on Twitter. It's in the genes, lol
Interesting. That's exactly why I got out; and I too stay in touch with many of mine, now married and having children of their own. Some simply want to apologise haha It is an unbelievable rewarding career, as long as you're not in it for the money:) Cheers!
Why is it we allow ourselves to be vulnerable in writing? Why do we bare all to a blank page?
Because when we converse with others we are adjusting what we say according to their reactions but when we are in front of a blank page we are accountable only to ourselves. A writer can never appear disguised to himself.
He or she won’t stay a writer for long I imagine.
Truth
Admitting the existence of a private world and suggesting the consequences if an outsider, even a loved outsider, could step in. One powerful statement after another John, I am drawn to the ownership of your humanness. Best.
thanks, Doug - I appreciate this
"Spirits of the dead showed me hell, but it was a pale imitation
of the horror I can paint on the darkness in a quiet moment."
I think it's too fascinating.
thanks, @slayer10
Thank you for seeing my comment .. The man with the spirit of literature.
you're welcome :)
Interesting, vulnerable poetry. Thanks for posting.
thank you!
Elegant. Somber. It has all the right mood.
It actually seems to be written at night. A great piece, as always!
yes, it was written at night
Potent and relatable, a very well paired coupling in poetry.
thank you
I hadn't thought about how the time of day affects my writing, but you're correct. It does. I write ghost stories in the morning. How much darker would they be if I wrote them at night? It's worth playing with. The poem itself is very touching. I look forward to getting to know you.
thanks, @lahvista - yes, atmosphere is everything :)
I think if I tried to write my ghost stories at night they would probably scare me too much. Night used to terrify me as a child. Maybe I'll stick to daytime after all. lol
i loved that! that photo is yours?
No, it belongs to @countrygirl - https://steemit.com/@countrygirl
Hi john.. You are writing so nicely.. I can sing it with lyrics..thanx for sharing.. So you have strength to face something that others dobt have