Comment from livelylinda

Exceptional

Dean: this is your best, yet, which is quite an accomplishment because all of them are great. This one has not only the "creepy" effect but a bit of melancholy and the sadness of realizing that we will one day die. Our words must be expressed, you are so right about that. When I have particularly weak and tired days, I am still driven to write because there is more I need to say, of no import except to me. I feel rushed and panic that I will not have enough time and then I realize that there is not ever enough time to do all you wish. Your words have stirred me today. How kind of you to be calling on me from the crypt!
Lins

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2015

---

reply by the author on 26-Oct-2015

Thanks so much for taking the time to read, review, and comment on this, the first installment of hopefully an ever-growing collection of dark poems, Linda. I'm very pleased you enjoyed the read, and your very generous six stars are deeply appreciated as well.

Perhaps one day you too will contribute a dark poem of your own making to the collection?

I'll be waiting...

Always with respect and admiration


Hugs!!! ~Dean

reply by livelylinda on 26-Oct-2015

Dean: I'm in the middle of another project right now so my writing is at dead stop for probably another week. After that, I will think about possibly attempting a creepy poem . . . hmmmm . . . Linda

reply by the author on 26-Oct-2015

Great, Linda. If you do decide to write a poem with a darker theme, I'll be one of the very first to read it.

Take care!

~Dean :}

Comment from justafan

Exceptional

I must be in a dark place this morning, Dean, cause this really struck a cord in me. I appreciate all the time and work you put into each and every piece you post. You are so very talented, hon.

Thanks for sharing.

Always,
Missy

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2015

---

reply by the author on 26-Oct-2015

Thanks so much for taking the time to read, review, and comment on this, the first installment of hopefully an ever-growing collection of dark poetry, Missy. I'm very pleased you enjoyed the read, and your very generous six stars are deeply appreciated as well.

Perhaps one day you too will contribute a dark poem of your own making to the collection.

I'll be waiting...

Hugs!!! ~Dean

Comment from TPAC

Excellent

Poetic in its structuring writer thoughts are grabbing to the reader, I found filled with thought-provoking conveyances worthy of meditating considerations. I found pleasing in its read.

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2015

---

reply by the author on 25-Oct-2015

Thanks, TPAC. I'm very grateful for the read & review.

Always with respect

~Dean

Comment from TomyKan

Excellent

Dark poetry can have its appeal, and this one is very well written, with good rhythm, rhyme and flow, as well as great imagery. I loved the opening line.

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2015

---

reply by the author on 25-Oct-2015

Thanks, Tomy. Much obliged for the read & review.

Always with respect

~Dean

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Such a masterfully written poem Dean, with all the eloquence that I've come to expect from you! I wonder in the annals of heaven, unless they've been forgiven and removed from not only God's sight, forever from the sight of all, and I wonder whether our minds will remember them after death? Great meter, smooth and silky, great aabb rhyming, well done, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2015

---

reply by the author on 25-Oct-2015

Thanks, Roy. Much obliged for the read & review.

Always with respect

~Dean

reply by royowen on 25-Oct-2015

Most welcome

Comment from barkingdog

Excellent

You are such an amazing poet. You make it seem so easy when I know how much thought you put into ever word.
Marvelous alliterations and highly descriptive vocabulary make for a marvelous prologue to a new multi-author book.

I love the imagery in this stanza:
'Arcane chants from far off places,
terror whitewashed tiny faces.
Waiting 'til the time draws nigh
to wave their gnarled hands... "goodbye."'

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2015

---

reply by the author on 25-Oct-2015

Thanks so much, Ellen. I certainly appreciate your kind, complimentary comments.

So many have asked if it was permissible to add poetry to the Tiny Tales of Terror series. Of course the answer to that question always has to be "No", I'm afraid. That series is strictly for micro and flash horror fiction. So, I was asked to consider creating a multi-authored book where poets could unleash a few of their own personal demons.
"Shifting Shadows" , and the first chapter, This Tufted Bed, is the result. Hopefully many will consider adding contributions of their own.

Thanks again for taking time to read and review this. As always, I deeply appreciate your feedback.

With respect and admiration

~Dean :}

reply by barkingdog on 25-Oct-2015

I"m sure the poets are composing as we write. I look forward to reviewing all the horror/thriller poetry.
More nightmares-- this time in iambic meter.

reply by the author on 25-Oct-2015

Yes, and any other meter a poet decides to add to the mix. Hope there will be many sonnets for me to study. Perhaps then I can actually learn to write one myself, LOL...

~Dean :}

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

Thoughts should not kept in cages. As hard as I try, I struggle to come up with something dark and scary to write about.
I still read these dark poems to try and understand what trigger scary poetry. Thoughts of pain and sorrow, is that the things that drive a person to write about the darker side of our lives?

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2015

---

reply by the author on 25-Oct-2015

Well, I can't speak for everyone, Sandra, but it is what drives me.

What about Poe? You know (I'm pretty sure you've heard of him), as in Edgar Allan? Do you believe he was particularly happy--a right jolly fellow? Probably not. And yet, The Raven, despite its dark underlying message, is still widely popular and oft read--even today.

Thanks so much for your review...

~Dean

Comment from LeslieP5

Excellent

Dark poetry does have its appeal especially when authored by you. Those thoughts should not be caged but written about and exposed to the light of day. When it time to put pen to rest till the morrow, those thoughts of pain and sorrow rest inside your head ... "wrapped warm within this tufted bed." It sound like a very good idea to have a multi authored book of dark poetry. It would be unusual and I'm sure compelling. I haven't tried writing in the genre, except for some very short daily prompt entries.

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2015

---

reply by the author on 25-Oct-2015

Well, I sure hope you decide to contribute, Leslie. We all have a little darkness in us, and we need to allow it to come out once in a while.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful review.

Respectfully

~Dean

Comment from Domino 2

Excellent

Re: notes, Deano. I guess it depends on what you mean exactly by, 'record'. Some of mine are UN-recordable. LOL.

Excellent subtle touches of alliteration.

Imaginative rhymes.

Maybe, with respect, try for another word to avoid repeating, 'rest' in last stanza. Maybe something like:

'linger deep inside my head', or 'spread their tendrils in my head', or something spookily similar.

Another excellent write from the pen of the site's top horror writer.

Best wishes, Ray.

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2015

---

reply by the author on 25-Oct-2015

Thank you for your thoughtful review and suggestions, Rayman. I will certainly take that into consideration, my friend.

Always with respect

~Dean ;}

reply by Domino 2 on 25-Oct-2015

Thanks for your very gracious and welcome reply, Deano. Ray.

reply by the author on 25-Oct-2015

:}

Comment from kiwisteveh

Excellent

In your usual fine style you enumerate dark and terrifying scenes. I may not always grasp their exact meaning - for example musings are walking the planks - but that hardly seems important in the creation of dark imagery.

I assume the 'tufted bed' is a reference to the padded coffin, although the speaker here seems confident he will return to his pen on the morrow.

Excellent stuff.

Steve

PS Congratulations on your win in the Octogram Contest.

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 25-Oct-2015

---

reply by the author on 25-Oct-2015

Yes, you're exactly right, Steve. The "tufted bed" alluded to in this poem is a padded coffin.
The "mystic musings walk the planks" line was simply intended to mean that those who chose to write dark, depressing poetry often find themselves treading a very fine line between falling into a shark infested sea of vicious critics, or the relative safety of the narrowest of platforms.

Thanks again for your kind review and feedback.

It is deeply appreciated.

Always with respect.

~Dean