Upon a stairway on a shadowy night
I chanced touch the railing making me recoil in fright
As an eerie chill filled my soul
Padre
Weekend Writing Prompt #210 – Eerie in 24 words
See also Upon A Stair from my Gothic Series
Upon A Stair (2)
Gothic
Wander Not In The Wood
Do not wander in the wood
For few from there return
The very trees there seem to move
Even when there is no breeze
Let your journey another path take
Let caution your planning seize
Do not wander in the wood
Do not its mysteries learn
And above all – do take care
To avoid the towering trees
Padre
Gateway Gothic
“That’s so weird,” Amber said as she did a slow spin taking in all of her surroundings.
“What’s weird? Where?” Tracy queried.
“Here – and this puddle’s what’s weird,” Amber replied.
“What are you going on about?”
“Just look at the refection in the puddle. The building in it isn’t anywhere near here.”
Tracy looked into the puddle and then looked around in the same intense manner Amber had.
“No! No way!” Tracy exclaimed.
The pair then knelt next to the puddle and peered in. There before them was a bustling market square with people in Victorian dress carrying out their business.
Tracy hesitantly placed her fingers into the shallow puddle that seemed no more than an inch deep but was able to sink her hand in to her elbow.
Jerking her arm rapidly from the puddle, she shook it and involuntarily shivered.
“No! This isn’t happening,” she said. “I could feel a breeze.”
Padre
Gothic 23: Blood-shot Wandering
With blood-shot green eyes of envy
He down the unlit passage strode
Leaving his wife and her lover
Alone in his wedding bed abode
He had entered but a moment ago
To see the sight – his blood to make cold
And in a fit of jealousy
Bludgeoned away their breath
As his anger and pain did explode
For today’s Poetics, I would like you to write a Gothic poem and explore the question: “Which according to you are the deepest, darkest and most concealed of human emotions?”
Jealousy
The Long Drove
Sister and brother, Deana and Don continued down the long drove. They had been told there was a rave at an abandoned house at the end of the tree-lined lane.
“Are you sure this is the right place?” Deana challenged.
“It’s right were it is supposed to be,” he replied holding up the hand drawn map his friend Kevin had made for him. “We came off Forest Street, and turned onto the third left.”
“Well it has been going on forever,” she complained. “Look, we have been on this stupid lane for twenty minutes,” she said checking her watch. “Ring Kevin now, and double check.”
“There’s no signal,” Don said.
Deana took out her phone as well. “I don’t have one either,” she said with obvious frustration.
“Uh oh. I don’t like this,” Don said. “Isn’t that the orange peel you dropped ten minutes ago?” he said pointing.
“Can’t be,” Deana replied uncertainly. “We’ve been walking straight ahead and their haven’t any turnings.”
It’s been ten years since they were last seen. They would be 26 and 27 now.
Padre
Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner
Sorry, but I am still in Gothic – Halloween mode.
Gothic 22: Maiden
Twas the ship’s maiden voyage
And a maiden too was me
On that fateful evening
When I first went to sea
How could I have known
That on that night I’d die
So I wander here upon shore
Seeking the answer as to why
If you spy me on the sand
Do not fright and run away
And if you feel my clammy touch
I only wish for you to stay
And if my cold fingers grip you
I do not mean to offend
I am only taking you seaward
To be my forever friend
Padre
Gothic 20: Shadows
Shadows – corners where there is no light
The recesses where your hackles rise –
When near them – you dare to go
The unknown – there from prying eyes hide
Prepared from their lair to explode
Shadows – corners devoid of light
The dark of hallways dim
A realm where you should not tread
A place when phantoms live
Padre
Gothic 19: Upon A Stair
In outlandish garb he comes my way
Latchet shoes and ruff upon his neck
Hollow eyes, and pointed beard
A ghostly visage he projects
Shall I pass him on the stair
Or wait for him to go?
How long has he tarried here?
Does even he, that answer know?
Padre
FOWC with Fandango — Outlandish
Gothic 18: All Hallows’ Eve
All Holies’ Day is not yet here
A year has passed since the last one
And now the saintly power gives way to fear
As Teens play with evil just for fun
–
Late into the evening they shall walk
Lighted pumpkins before the doors
Laughing at powers of which they baulk
Little understanding their horrors
–
As on them night closes like a pall
Adorned in masks, they think disguise
Aware not of the presence mal
Among them those Teens unwise
–
So in their revelry they shall go
Still unaware of the risks
Surprised they shall be when they come to know
Strong cold fingers seizing their wrists
Padre
A little mood setting for Halloween in the form of a Trolaan (a poem consisting of 4 quatrains. Each quatrain begins with the same letter. The rhyme scheme is abab, and each successive stanza beginning with second letter of the previous stanza.
Gothic 17: Visitor
A nighttime visit,
It’s a game you play.
To walk among us,
On Halloween day.
But there’s no need,
Attention to time to pay;
This year we’ve arranged for you,
A much longer stay.
Padre
