Following them to Sleep

Personal Reflection 1 Minute

#dVerse Synchronicity Poem

In our dreams, the dregs of our fears
unwashed by the gristle-eyed sun,
take hold.

“Sleep tight” we say, setting bones deep
in feathery pillows... until
hijacked

spun into fear’s vortex, image
after image on lidded screens.
Horror

a nine year old faces, from her
own head, eclipsing rest, dark as
bat wings

and she wakes, to the waspish beat
of gabled flight, pillows adrift.
“Mummy!”

I surface, gluggy as quagmire,
navigating the chill grey hall
for hugs

knowing there is nothing to do
but cuddle her tight: sharp elbows,
bowed head,

and tell her that it’s three a.m.
She must brave the bat wings again
alone.

Written for Grace’s dVerse poetics prompt “Synchronicity”.

As a poetry form, this consists of eight three-line stanzas in a syllable pattern of 8/8/2. This poetry type has no rhyme and is written in the first person with a twist. The twist is to be revealed within the last two stanzas. This form was created by Debra Gundy.

Published by abigfatcanofworms

We all walk in the dark. But if we hold hands, perhaps the dark won't be as scary.

Published

11 thoughts on “Following them to Sleep”

    1. Thanks so much, Misky. I’m amazed at how often, i set out on the poem with only the vaguest notion of what it’s going to be about. I might just have one line. Or an image. And then something gets made of it as I write it. I can see why people talk about muses although I have always been resistant to the notion of giving the credit for my poetry to some mythical being. But it is fascinating where ideas come from.

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      Reply

      1. If ones imagination needs naming, then I suppose it might be Muse, but I’m not one to credit (or blame) it for what I write. Same goes for writers block.

        Liked by 1 person

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