I hear the dead
cry out
in the colours
of the burning night
even my shadow
bows down
before them
these
are the stranger days
with ghost silhouettes
that I
can see
this killing ground
is the shade
of dying fire
and I am
alive
I wonder
why
I am alive
perhaps
to play
the witness
and what if I
were hung
to drain and dry
suspended
from my toes
what if the sound
of the wind
in my throat
was
the only proof
of a lie
troubled days
troubled thoughts
troubled visions
trouble
everywhere I go
there is no sound
that is not
the dead
whistling
the wind blows
without care
whistling
and the creaking
of each rope
is a separate song
the creaking
of each soul
is a sigh
I have to turn
away
lest these images invade me
in my sleeping
I think
I may have known them
once
but now I need
to turn my face
away
oh
too late
oh
too long
oh
my shadow
will remain
oh
and oh oh oh
held up
by the toes
held up
by the silhouette
of toes
and constant calling
constant whistling
and a constant
call
~
Brilliant poetry! Each line gave me goosebumps, as I looked forward to the next line. Thanks for joining in!
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🙂 Thanks so much, Reena.
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Reblogged this on Reena Saxena and commented:
A brilliant piece by Frank Prem! I wish I could write such a piece…
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Thank you for the re-blog and I’m truly delighted at your reaction. Good prompts bring out the best responses, I think.
I’ve done a link on my fb page as well, Hopefully there may be a little traffic go your way through that.
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Thank you so much!
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🙂
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The haunting. Hearing each creak of the rope.
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It’s almost a visceral thing, isn’t it? I hold the prompt 100% responsible for this sort of outcome (bless its sox).
Thanks Jade.
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Powerful and sad
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Yes, it feels emotional, doesn’t it? The picture took me right there.
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Most powerful, Frank
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It got a little grim on me, Derrick.
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Pingback: Reena’s Exploration Challenge #84 – Reena Saxena
Great description of the dead haunting us day and night. Your words describe the image prompt so vividly
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Thank you. It was a great prompt.
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Reblogged this on Chelsea Ann Owens and commented:
Always so apt at capturing The Song of Things: Frank Prem.
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Thank you, Chelsea. That’s very good of you.
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This piece is the first I’ve read of your writing and I must say it provoked some tonal flashbacks. Eerily familiar and perfectly dictated.
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting.
I’m glad the piece worked for you. Some of these prompts have very powerful images.
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Reblogged this on Peregrine Arc and commented:
A profound read.
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Thank you, Peregrine Arc. That is very much appreciated.
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You are welcome. The imagery really hit home with me and my next novel I’m currently writing. Your poem put fuel in my tank. Thank you. ☺️
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Lovely! 🙂
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