Who's Afraid of the Dark? Halloween Poetry Contest

[WickedEve]

Dark is simply the opposite of light. Without light we have dark, and in the dark we cannot perceive the silent creatures.
So, who's afraid of the dark?

Write a dark inspired poem: dark humor, dark erotica, childhood memories of shadows closing in while you hid beneath your blanket, that stereotypical black landscape of gnarled trees and looming houses on hilltops, or perhaps, the eerie neighbor at the end of the street who's been walking past your house after midnight.
Turn off the lights, and see what inspires you.

http://www.eveshabit.com/darkcontest.jpg
Guidelines:

No restrictions on length or form.

Poem must include mention of, at least, one monster, horror movie, or memorable line from a horror movie/book.

All entries may be posted to this thread from now until Sunday, October 5th, 2003.

After that date, a new thread (with a poll including each entry) will be posted for the board to vote on their favorite poem.

----------

The same contest is also at eveshabit.com, but extended until October 19th.
You can check this link for contest/submission guidelines.

 

[Maria2394]

Cool idea!!! does Beet-lejuice count??

 

[Lauren Hynde]

Only if you say his name thrice.

 

[WickedEve]

Cool idea!!! does Beet-lejuice count??

A rule for Maria: You must have the word beet in your poem.

 

[Guest]

CHILD IN BLACK

Innocent face, nefarious soul
Oh mother, beware your offspring
Watch the footsteps
Keep your distance
And pray for refuge
From his minions-hounds and crows
Damien is near

 

[Angeline]

Blood Lust

A cavernous room chilled
with night, thick with silence.

Tick dark time.
Tick black metronome.

His nights are intervals of half life,
still life spent anticipating breath,
to puddle him in veils of steaming satin.

He is a tableau now, unmoving
as ice save one finger curving
back and forth against a glass.

Sigh sibilant
Dream.
Caress.

The diamond sparkle of his skin
stretches taut to ivory bone.
His lips are marble pale.

What lies behind the shadow,
outlined sharp? What hides agleam,
more brilliant than the pinnacle of stars
hung blind amid the soulless sky?

Midnight!

And she comes
tapping heel on stone,
closer, rustling silk,
closer, beating, closer,
beating roars into his ears
like oceans, cresting, tidal.

Oh rhythm of innocence,
beating in her breast!

His eyes awaken
scarlet, shocking
her round lips to gasp.
He sees her muted rouge.
He sees her blood flush
pulsing in her velvet cheeks.

He fits the glass
into her soft small hand.

For you, mi amore.
I never drink

wine.

 

[Maria2394]

I'll Get you, My pretty

I'll get you, My pretty

with my gnarled, ancient thumbs
I'll screw your head in a vise
laughing like a banshee
till blood spurts from your eyes

you may have survived
that nasty old tornado
but that can't compare to brains
pureed like tomato

I'll remove your skin,
one layer at a time
waiting for your death rattle
is all I have in mind

and if you resurrect
though,impossible, I suspect
I'll drink your warm blood
like a freshly opened bottle
of Russian beet wine

You're mine, Little Girl!
and your disgusting dog too
and if you don't behave nicely
I'll barbecue him, TOO!


muahhaaahahahahahaa

 

[Angeline]

Dance with me, Hugh

Hill House

No one will hear you.
In the night. In the dark.
If you scream,
no one will hear you.

Oh in daytime it may seem
no more than an odd duck,
out of place, down on its luck,
full of character and style.

But at night you're all alone,
with nothing out here
but this place for miles.

That’s when this house
reveals itself they say,
and shows it ugly secrets,
tricks you with its wiles.

There are things here--
shrieks and moans that die away,
cold spots, places where the walls
reach out and try to touch you,
some folks say.

Terrible things happened here.
They can't sell it now, and no one
ever stays, not at night.

After dark it comes alive;
it can eat you up with fright,
until you’ll want to drive
as far away as you can go.

If you get out.

I can’t help you.
We won’t stay here after dark.
I can’t help. We live in town.
We don’t come here after dark,
not even if you phone.

No one will help.
They’re too afraid.
Whoever walks at Hill House,
walks alone.

 

[WickedEve]

Re: I'll Get you, My pretty

and if you resurrect
though,impossible, I suspect
I'll drink your warm blood
like a freshly opened bottle
of Russian beet wine

muahhaaahahahahahaa

Damn! You actually worked a beet into your poem.

 

[darkmaas]

And the beet goes on ....

Maria wrote:

... a freshly opened bottle
of Russian beet wine

Why thank you Maria. Don't mind if I do. In fact if it's your homemade... er... make mine a double.

darkmaas

 

[beetrootjesuit]

The Beet goes on...

All this attention is overwhelming for one so fresh and virginal.


Beet

 

[perks]

Re: The Beet goes on...

All this attention is overwhelming for one so fresh and virginal.


Beet

*laughing*

culinary catholic I'm in looooooooove!

 

[champagne1982]

The Feast of the Dead

archived elsewhere

 

[Angeline]

The Beet goes on...
All this attention is overwhelming for one so fresh and virginal.


Beet

Fresh? Absolutely. The rest? Beet should reread his first post to Disposa. Just a thought--a little observation.

 

[ScottishChieftan]

I bent him over my knee, with his face to the sky.
His eyes were wide for he knew he would die.

Time had come and time had gone. His was over and mine had begun.

Like a bow arched his back, bones cracking and snapping.
Terror struck through him for he knew what was happening.

Even those that walk in the night,
can quiver and shiver and tremble with fright.

It was my time to reign and his time to perish.

I broke his neck with a twist of his spine,
but left his heart pumping, this old enemy of mine.

Into his throat, I sank my needle sharp teeth.
He had whined of his life till I gave him release.

Lestat, you old whore, you perverse little faggot.
Go to your death and be a feast for the maggots.

His salty blood sprayed all over my face.
I sucked his veins dry, slowly, without haste.

Black blood with no life in it’s cells.
I drank it all down and sent its owner to hell.

Death comes to us all, old nemesis of mine.

With one last twist, his head was torn from it’s perch.
His body convulsed, his legs spasmed and jerked.

A flame shot from his neck and bared his soul to the night.
I watched it arch to the ground and I laughed in spite.

Vampire. You never deserved the name.
Though through some eyes, yours was the name that bore the most fame.

I am the Lord and Master of night.
I am the reason people stay in the light.

Think of me when the night shadows fall.

Remember my name, I am the Bringer of Death.

 

[champagne1982]

Halloween Bill

archived elsewhere

 

[WickedEve]

Rybka's Dark Sucker Theory

 

[Ms. Jones]

Something Wicked This Way Comes

Soft shivered whispers
in dark of night
From a bedtime story retold

Tis a ghostly, ghoulish tale
To chill the blood
Of young and old

White silken petticoats
Rustle against the floor
Noiseless footsteps in the hall

Soft keening cries
Of love unrequited
Slither up the wall

In her wake
Bloody tendrils course
With a chilling embrace

Though a mirror passes
No shadow seen
of her ashen face

at stroke of twelve
she sadly croons
notes of her lovers lament

heart thrust aside
with careless laugh
signaled her torment

A knife appeared
Clutched in upraised hand
To swing at him aloft

But his was the quicker aim
His thrust was hard
Hers much too soft

Her heart in deadly rent
Drained quickly
Blood of life

Whilst murderer smiled
And quickly
Returned to his rich wife

The dead shall walk forever
Awaiting vengeance on
A hallowed Holy Grail

And so she walks
In dead of night
Blood marks her ghostly trail

With lift of hand
Prepared to knock
Upon past lover’s door

Halting spirit in gasp
As a light shines
On the floor

Slashes seen on fingers
Held fast in her
Ghoulish stare

She waits in deadly
Amazement that
He knows that she is there

Slowly sunken eyes turn
As phantom smile
In haunt succumbs

Hear now the ghostly scratch
“As something wicked
This way comes”*






*By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks! Macbeth. Act iv. Sc. 1.

 

[champagne1982]

bump!

Get it on up there in the morning!



B U M P ! !

 

[The_Fool]

Malevolent

Malevolent thoughts on a dismal night.
Dark deeds
color my desire.

Disillusion --- defecates on cherished dreams.
Innocence --- Alternates with cynical schemes.

Domination…of any I de-sire.
Subjugation…is all I re-quire

Of me.
Can’t you see?

Hair itches
To a litany of spider legs,
Walking on my head.

Eye twitches
With a syncopated beat
To a Coltrane dissonance.
“Are you experienced?”

Stress subjugates
Pain radiates
Passions require,
Suitable fixation.

Cruel thoughts from a disillusioned mind

Yielding to my pain
Of a pounding head
Life so simple
To overcome
With a little pill
Takes on a chill
Gives me a thrill
Till I want to kill.

Water stands in a porcelain sink
Crystal
Clear.
A scarlet drop
Clouds of red swirl
Contrast white.

Bright light
Flashes
From the shiny knife.
Fixated,
By my reflection
Translucent
Through a red haze.

The mirror reflects
A strangers face
Eyes wide
Pupils dilated.
A knife flashes
Above his head
I feel pain
My head explodes.

Awakening from my dream,
Water stands in a porcelain sink
Crystal
Clear.
I look up
The mirror reflects
A strangers face
Eyes wide
Pupils dilated.

I hear a drop
Hit the water.
Looking down,
A scarlet drop,
Clouds of red swirl
Contrast white.

I hear a howl
And insane laughter.
I wonder what he’s after.

I feel a tear
Trickle down my face.
I wipe it
With a knife in my hand.
I look up.
The mirror reflects
A strangers face
Eyes wide
Pupils dilated.
Face streaked with blood.

Bright light
Flashes
from the shiny knife.
Fixated,
By my reflection.
Translucent
through a red haze.
As I watch
A red drop forms
And falls.
I hear a drop
Hit the water.
Looking down
A scarlet drop
Clouds of red swirl
Contrast white.

There is blood on the knife
Blood on the knife
Blood on my
My hands
There is blood on my hands
I hear a howl
And insane laughter
I wonder what he’s after

My body shudders.
I drop the knife.
Shiny metal
Shiny red metal
Red fingerprints
On the handle.

I plunge my hands into the water
Into the blood red water.
Get if off.
My hands are sticky.
My bloodred hands are sticky.
Get if off
Make it go away.

I hear a howl
And insane laughter
I wonder what he’s after.
I plunge my face into the water.
The laughter goes away.
I taste salt.
My sink is filled with tears.

I look up.
The mirror reflects
A strangers face
Eyes wide
Pupils dilated.
Blood red water
Dripping down my face.
I must be crying
I must be crying red.

Spine shivers,
I feel the pain
I see a flash
And feel my self
Pounded
To the ground.

I reach for my sanity
To help me up.
The mirror reflects
me
Eyes wide
Pupils dilated,
Blood red
Tear trails.

I see my eyes.
I see her eyes,
Begging,
Pleading,
Screaming,
Hurting,
Dead.
I see her dead.

A knife flashes
Above his head
I feel pain
My head explodes
Fire burns
Demons torture
Anger spikes
And hate bubbles out
Volcano explosion
Hot
Burning
Sanity runs away.

Lifeless body.
Beautiful breasts
Surround a gaping hole.
A heart beats
My heart beats
I hold her heart
A Tell-Tale Heart
In my blood read hands.

Bright light
Flashes
From the shiny knife.
Fixated
By my reflection
Translucent
Through a red haze.

The mirror reflects
me
Eyes wide
Pupils dilated.
Blood red
Tear trails
Sanity runs away.

I hear a howl
And insane laughter
I wonder what he’s after.

 

[Icingsugar]

Here's one for the structure fans...
I made my monster up from scratch, I hope that's ok, dem rules were a little blurry on that.


The Mezcari

When the Mezcari arrives
you will smile and let him in
that will be what he desire
for there is no greater sin
you will treat him like a lover
you will greet him with a kiss,
and the bitter taste of Mezcari
will be your sweetest bliss

When the Mezcari arrives
you'll be drowning in his eyes
in those pitch black wells of hunger
in his soothing tongue of lies
you will know what lies ahead now
but without no hope or choice
you will give in to the burning
and the poison in his voice

When the Mezcari arrives
you will never wonder why
he will open up his beehive robe
and let the insects fly
he will smell of rotten roses
of a wound that will not heal
and that will be the clearest
breath of air you'll ever feel

When the Mezcari arrives
you will too become a beast
you will offer him your cradled son
and stand to watch him feast
you will take him to your daughter's bed
and when her screams have died
you will take him to your bedroom
you will kneel there by his side

When the Mezcari demands
you'll surrender all that's pure
when he runs his steel claws on your back
you'll bleed and beg for more
with tearing flesh and blood stained tears
he'll rape and seal your curse
he will fill your womb with terror
for the monster you will nurse

When the Mezcari is gone
all you were will be untrue
and no one will remember that
there ever was a you
and the only one to hear you
when you scream in hell and pain
is the Mezcari who has come back
to taste you once again

 

[Angeline]

Red Death

Beyond these walls
darkness plummets,
as if pushed over
the precipice of sanity
to an abyss.

Shhhh! Quiet!
No more of this
within these walls.

The forest and the town
are no more a concern.
Abide in safety here, for surely
wealth and status earn this haven,
there is nothing one should fear.

True gentlefolk would never
cast aside their sympathy;
and yet the dying in the village
might be him or me, for this invader
bows to nothing but its needs,
this terror feeds on duke and serf alike.

It shoots a fevered arrow true,
and pours its filth inside of you
until you're torn upon a rack of pain,
reduced to no more than a rag,
a shaking, choking wraith
surrounded by a stain of humours.

Then world recedes and you
slip ever farther from the din,
spitting, surrendering the last
of you to foe unseen that swells
in ebon clots upon your skin.

No more!

We abide in safety here.
We've food and drink aplenty.
Look here how the joint
sizzles upon the hearth,
and mead is poured.

Look at the gaiety within this hall,
spinning silken ladies faceted
and beautiful as jewels shine
beside their courtly partners,
moving neatly through the dance
of waiting, through their only task
till midnight peals and silence
stays the shocked and angry screams
when a grinning uninvited guest
throws down its masque.

 

[Maria2394]

Transcriptus absurdus

Nightmare on Judicial Court Street
Jason vs Everybody: Jason wins


Attorney to Judge:

"But your Honor! I contend,
that through no fault of his own,
my client, the defendent
was compelled to kill the alleged victims
and that Jason here is a good fella

Who only, when accidentally happening upon
a set of kitchen knives
when he burgled the Carson's house
was he then so inspired by countless hundreds
of teenage slasher movies
when he was much younger

the point being, society provided
his motive, movies provided the rational
and the victims?
They themselves, your Honor
they provided the weapons
that eventually ended their lives

Just the mere fact that the Carson's knew
that killers most often find
their weapons in the victim's home
they had to know! it's on the news everyday:
the victims were slaughtered with
a butcher knife from a drawer
in their very own kitchen, etc, etc,...

and having that in mind, then why
would any sane person
even have a knife in their kitchen
I ask you, your Honor!

myself, I keep mine under my bed,
I ain't advertising to be no victim

Don't get me wrong now
I won't go as far as to say
they brought it all on themselves

Now, I do agree, Your Honor
that Jason had a choice to make
to kill them, or not to kill them

and from my point of view
things could have gone better
for the victims and myself
this pro bono work sucks

but here we are, he did what he did
and we wish to ask the court
for simple mercy, your Honor

Jason is a killer, but he is still a child
who has no understanding
of what reality must truly be

That's all I have to say
except we ask
that you spare his life,
Thank you"

Judge Durman to Attorney:

"I've always wanted to say this
Have you lost your fucking mind?
He's guilty as hell
but you make me sick!

How dare you blame
the victims for what he did
I'm getting tired of this shit!

judge removes a pistol from inside his robe
and shoots the lawyer twice

That's what we call [color=dark blue]justice[/color]
around here


Jason to Judge:

"Sir? Your Honor?
What about me
am I going to prison?
or will you set me free?

I don't think it's a very good idea, Judge
there's voices in my head
I think I need a doctor
and I think that lawyer's dead"

Judge to Jason:

"Now listen here, Boy
get your stuff and get on down
the road
we got more important things to do
than try to fix your head.

Change your name and move
and don't ever set foot
in this county seat again"

reporter's notes:

the opinion of this reporter is
that the justice system has serious flaws,
rehabilition for drug offenses is negligible
and a drug conviction can cost you
more years in prison
than a double homicide
( in some states)

 

[WickedEve]

shamelessly hinting:

I'm loving all the poems, and I hope you will all stop resisting the temptation to also submit to ----> The same contest is also at eve's habit, but extended until October 19th. You can check this link for contest/submission guidelines.

 

[diosdemoche]

The Eulogy

Time, the passing of words
Whispers of silent breath
Lips touch, sweet icy kisses
My warm flesh numbs, dies
As Death, my lover takes me
Into her arms, dead wooded limbs
Thorn bushes comprise her hair
She cuts me with each gentle kiss
Lifting me into nights dark air
Silent and dead the air stirs not against me

Oh how gentle she takes me
Gone, lost in her empty eyes
I am drunk on the wine of her breath
An old musty fragrance
Rotting wood and wilted rose petals
There is sweet bliss here.
In the unknown, uncaring, unconsciousness
Of my new world

I find myself floating now
On the dark, narrow, evening tide
As River she moans a joyous song
Her Melancholy chorus of life drifting past
Greets me as my love lies me on the dark, black bow
The vessel moves and greets River with a word
Kind and common, they seem old friends

As our vessel begins to fade from sight
I hear the cries as my family watches
They cry on such a joyous day?
The long awaited marriage to my lover.
I hear the goodbyes as we float away
There is no pain, no sadness, only peace rises
Into the cold night air, dark and unknown
We rise devoured in the sky by sharp, pointed stars
Lost within the millions.