The riddling lights behind my eyes
perplex me. Each night in the black—
shut room of my head they come:
mouths and blue sockets surged
up from a day’s spent chasm
to taunt me to sleep. Whether
vapor or viper they leer, grimace
and jeer. In that sanguine hour,
when the body numb sheds
its cruel weight, when the body
numb drowns in the boxspring,
some buoyant other rises
to meet them, these bruises,
neckless in the wait for heaven,
who, with their long and coiled
tongues, drag me up
into their cold wet nethers,
and hold me, vexed
and new in the mouth of sleep.
Image: frankie cordoba on Unsplash
Sweet and Bitter Greens 
Deep, D. Sounds great read aloud. I hate that time of night.
“when the body
numb drowns in the boxspring,
some buoyant other rises”
A scene from the anime, “Spirited Away,” comes to mind, when the MC gets on a deserted train out in the middle of nowhere and rides it with a sad unseen shrouded figure out to the middle of nowhere.
Thanks M. It is a strange dismemberment in that hour, frightening and soothing at the same time.
D
Devon, a crowning achievement in your poetic repertoire!! Bravo.
Thank you Lance. You are very kind. To be honest, when I read your latest piece, Crucifixion, I was struck by a certain set of parallels between the two poems.
D
Absolutely… a strong parallel! And, it is always a very honorable pleasure, Devon. Peace and light.
Peace and Light my good man.
D
Thank you, Devon.
This is so beautifully written with such thoughts and images. I really like this especially.
“Whether
vapor or viper they leer, grimace
and jeer. In that sanguine hour,
when the body numb sheds
its cruel weight,”
Great piece. Have a great rest of your weekend.
Hugs,
Joni
Thank you, Joni. You are very kind.
D
Your descriptive words were so well chosen and it felt a bit like a journey. Beautiful and my pleasure. Have an amazing evening. 🤗Joni
Thank you Joni. It is rare that folks comment on my poems. I must say that I am pleased that you are touched. It is a lonely endeavor to be sure and when a kind word comes I know that I am doing what needs be done.
D