vibrating wind–
harsh, unending,
bringing news of winter
under dusky grey,
a barrier
closing the sky
tree bones rattle
with last leaves–
night is everywhere,
penetrating
with howling vision
the sanctity of sleep
retreat is impossible,
surrounded by chanting
and invisible hands–
the edge of a nightmare
hovering
on the threshold
ghostlike it journeys,
knocking on each door,
finding the cracks
in each soul,
sundering the barricades
of every defense
no prayer
or good luck charm
repels the chosen path
of this bleak revenant–
its faceless form
looms like a black tide
its cacophony rises,
too many voices calling
to distinguish the words–
what does it seek
from the fabric of the living,
now torn to shreds?
unweaving the center,
rearranging the remains–
songs of lamentation
shatter the circle,
extinguish all illusion
of rescue or escape
Jane Dougherty has posted 3 of her poetic responses to the Ekphrastic Review challenge that featured a painting of a town, “Noe Valley”, by Matthew Rackham Barnes. I too found the image creepy (and I wonder if that was the artist’s intent–I actually think probably not). My poem wasn’t chosen either, but I’ve done a collage inspired by the painting and here it is with the poem.
K. 
Lost my comment somewhere along the way. Maybe it’s following the ghost along the street.
This is a real blockbuster poem! Like a condensed ghost story. I agree about the painting’s creepiness even if we’re in the minority.
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Thanks Jane. I like that description! It’s definitely longer than my usual writing, but it just kept going and I followed along.
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It didn’t stop until it had said it all.
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I hope you do the dverse prompt this evening. But you must NOT read either mine or Merril’s first.
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As I just told Merril, I will do my best to get to it tomorrow…if not then, the day after. The week has already gotten away from me.
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Remember not to read ours first though.
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I won’t. I have 2 rough drafts I’ll work on later today.
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Maybe it won’t work if you tidy up rough drafts. We just let it flow at roughly the same time too. Crossing fingers the magic is still flowing for you.
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Oh wow! This is wonderful–and creepy–even more so than the painting. And your collage is unsettling, too.
And yes, if you have a chance to do my dVerse prompt. Jane and I are eager to see what you come up with. 🙂
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thanks Merril.
No pressure right? It’s a good prompt and I will get to it, but I’m not sure if it will happen tomorrow. As always, I’m not sure what my obligations are because things may or may not actually happen, and I’m also already behind on what I was supposed to get done today…(you know all about that)…I will do my best.
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No pressure at all. Jane and I are just curious to see what you’ll come up with. 🙂 And yes, I do understand about obligations. Good luck with your work and getting done what needs to be done.
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I do have 2 rough drafts which I’ll revisit later today. I may have to take some art from the archives. I also have other ideas I can develop at a future date–excellent prompt!
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Thank you. I see you did post them, so I will read them soon.
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