Nightfall
now — the darkness descends
the hand of grief extends
terror is knocking at the door
nightfall
words of sorrow stain my lips
slip through my fingertips
and scatter ‘cross the floor
nightfall
the shadows hide my tears
but I am haunted by my fears
I am broken evermore
nightfall
dark waves of misery
are rising like the sea
I am stranded on the shore
nightfall
I am lost — I am alone
confusion grips me to the bone
horror chills me to my core
nightfall
I hear something growl my name
have I finally gone insane
be gone — I fearfully implore
but again the dark thing calls
no — this must be just a dream
what else can it mean
I’ll lay quiet and ignore
yes — I’ve simply been asleep
albeit very very deep
soon my eyes will open
as this nightmare’s spell is broken
soon the sun must rise — for sure
but… a blood-curd-ling encore
the midnight snarl is there once more
now it’s clawing at my door…
I’m so afraid I’ll forget what for…
*
rob kistner © 2013 (original)
rob kistner © 2023 (edited version)
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That is a terrifying nightmare Rob. Grief with terror can be paralyzing. Happy weekend.
Never a good combo Grace — betrayed love can kill.
The repetition of nightfall really strikes over and over, it’s a building terror in this piece that haunts! Well done!
Thank Tricia. I think repetition can be very engaging, even if it is just a single repetition. I use single repetition comfortably. And repetition does not have to be the exact same word. Repeating a second word that has the same meaning, or emotional impact of a prior word, can be just as effective.
A chilling write, Rob. The images of nightmare quality along with the repetition make one grateful to wake up!
Thank you Dwight. Morning is always welcome… 🙂
Damn! That was tense, I hope you come out of this darkness. I especially admire those last lines, they really hit home.
Thank you Jay. Going deep into the black veil is a catharsis for me, it’s how I purge the darkness. I have always been an emotional dichotomy, in that my ADD will have me prattling along, the jokester, but my heart of hearts is melancholy. I like to laugh, but I love to cry, and can swing easily between the two. Bottom line, I love to feel emotion at the edge, be it light or dark.
A terrifying–and despairing vision. I hope the morning brought some peace.
Glad it resonated Merril… 🙂
My dreams are normally not the stuff of nightmares, but when they are I believe advancing age triggers them … awaking with a feeling of dread, realizing the clock is ticking, I am usually lost in a maze, trying to claw my way out. Another awesome write, Rob.
Thanks Helen… 🙂 …oh yes, the maze of life.
Oh I hope that night never comes for me! Nice buildup and just when you think it is over, reality sets in. Yipes!
It was father time clawing at my door Lisa.
I truly hope you find your way out of the darkness. It can sometimes appear very dark at present.
Thank you Suzanne, but I have learned, in recent years, to see in the dark — so we will make it through.
How is it we already know how to dance with the macabre — an old, jiving instinct when the dreadful comes. This whistles tunefully in that dark.
We think we are weak, that we can’t do it, no matter the darkness that descends — but Brendan, we find out we can and will. We are designed to survive, if we only shut the fear out — with a giant ringing FUCK YOU!
Wow Rob , you had me gripped and frightened there!
Darkness can be overwhelming, but since Kathy was diagnosed with cancer last week, it is a whole new dark that we will now fight together.
I’ve been having some sleep/dream/nightmare issues lately & am feeling paper thin fairly often, all day long. It’s been both plus and minus for the writing.
Admirable work, Bro. Thanks.
Thank you Ron. Keep the faith brother! I have been in emotional chaos since my Kathy was diagnosed with cancer last week. Suddenly my problems don’t feel very important. All I can think about is helping her fight.
I am lost — I am alone… that is more than terror, that is deep anguish. You’re right, betrayal can kill…in so many ways. A strong write.
Thank you Rajani… 🙂
The last sentence is very chilling
Yes Rommy, the last line is where the Screw turns.
What a chilling way to describe the nightmare… I especially love how you work in that hesitation if it’s for real or not.
And maybe in the end returning to the beginning.
I’ve always felt a little touches makes a big impact Björn , it’s been a device found defective over the years. Glad this engaged to you.
“the shadows hide my tears
but I am haunted by my fears
I am broken evermore”
I know this feeling all too well.
A dark place — but quiet.
You had me feeling it with you. Powerful use of repetition.
Thank you Rosemary… 🙂
Guess every one of us have some day gone through these nightmarish experiences. But light shines again each morning.
Like Annie sang out, “The sun will come out tomorrow…”!
Scary stuff!
It’s life — scary as hell Sara!
This is incredibly deep and evocative writing here, Rob! The use of repetition creates impact- and the poem personally speaking hits home. Sending love 🙂
Thank you Sanaa… 🙂