The Nightmare by Henry Fuseli (1781)
The old hag rests upon my breast,
malevolence sent on a quest.
To claim souls in the twilight hour,
demonic beast amassing power.
My muffled pleas lost in the fray,
limbs paralysed there where I lay.
Possessing souls throughout the night,
she won’t take mine without a fight.
New valour pushes fear away,
and silently bids calm to stay.
My twitching limbs regain control,
tonight I’m keeping my own soul.
As glowing eyes glare back at me,
she sears me in her memory.
Reviling as she takes up flight,
surceasing for another night.
Copyright © October 2012 Norma Martiri
Form: Quatrain
Written for the Poeticaphobia prompt at dVerse Poets Pub
Sleep paralysis was once believed to be demonic being described as the Old Hag terrifying victims .
Intense poetry! Stirring emotions that match a nightmare. Very good writing, can fit a scary movie you know?
Thanks so much for your lovely comment
your so strong to vanquish the hag tonight.. your words are strength also
Thanks heaps. Appreciate your comments
Even without the image your words conveyed the intensity of your nightmare. Very well executed ….
Thanks so much Isadora. I always appreciate your support
G’day Norma, love reading this & love the ghoulish tilt, love it, love it, love it………Btw this is very well written as well…..(-:
Thanks Dave…really appreciate it
fast moving and intense. tq for sharing norma.. here’s my rally.. http://fiveloaf.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/waters-of-spring/
Thanks for stopping by
a pleasure to be of acquaintance.. cheers!
powerful write up.
Happy Rally.
Thanks for stopping by Shash
Reblogged this on PRESIDENTS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM.
Thanks for the reblog
great rhythm and rhyme. strong imagery!
by the way, i was writing on some phobia too.
Thanks for stopping by
Wow, this was intensely vivid! Kind of scared the poop out of me (excuse my language). I always have xtremely strange dreams and then I have terrifying dreams, where no matter where I run, I find myself right back in front of this horrific creature and I can’t get away and I scream but no one can hear me or nothing comes out and I can actually feel the strain on my throat. I’ve literally thrown myself out of bed a few times and afterward I can forget sleep, because I’m terrified of being pulled back into the mightmare (yes, I said mightmare. I’m afraid if I go to sleep it might actually happen. LOL! ).
This piece actually brought back some really vivid dream memories, I would have liked to never remember. THANKS A LOT! You describe everything in such a way that all I had to do was close my eyes and I could see it. Job well done! Thank you so much for sharing with us; praying you have wonderful, restful dreamless nights.
http://elizena-lovingmycreator.blogspot.com/2012/10/fighting-demons.html
Thanks Elizena. Are you sure you’re not suffering from sleep paralysis too. It feels like a dream and I try to scream but nothing comes out. It scares me too. Thanks for stopping by
your words speak powerfully,
i am not so familiar with the topic, but glad to sense your talented writing.
Hi Lexi, sorry for the very late reply. I appreciate your comments. Thanks for reading
Norma
This is a great piece! Edgar Allen Poe would be proud!!
Sorry about the late reply. Thanks so much for reading my poem and for your encouraging comment