Poetics – Exploring Gothic as a Literary Genre (Step into the realm with me),
the prompt from Sanaa at dVerse ~ Poets Pub, asks us to write a Gothic poem. I’m not sure I have the capacity for detail that requires. Brief as it is, here’s mine.
Darkness Dispersed
Past, present and future
confined to darkness,
I built a wall,
block upon block
reaching for the heavens.
Yet it refused to rise,
you removing blocks
faster than placed,
so that stars shone
as we embraced.
Image source: pxhere.com
Dark, intimate, and romantic by the last line. I think this is more of two souls captivated by each other’s darkness, thus the act of reaching heaven becoming diminished. However, the narrator still had hoped to rise to it at one point—to not be consumed by the darkness. By the end, it’s an embrace of chaos.
That is a brilliant comparison, and so true about relationships that can bring out what we try to keep hidden; and perhaps those are the worst parts of ourselves. A beautifully stirring and dark piece. You nailed the Gothic genre down, Ken. This is fantastic.
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Thank you, Lucy.
It’s when contrasted with the light that the ability of darkness to consume is most evident.
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an inverted Cask of Amontillado (or at least, this reminds me of that, somehow) ~
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oh that’s so interesting! (I’ve loved that story ever since my childhood!)
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I hadn’t thought of that.
Yes — turned inside-out.
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Whatever else this may measure up to, it certainly is a love poem. So often what we consider interference is precisely what we’ve been needing all along. Your closing “stars shone as we embraced” settles the score nicely.
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Thank you, Jazz.
Sometimes a wake-up call is what’s needed. Even better when it’s a source of light calling to you.
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Another wonderful love poem. (K)
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Thank you. 🙂
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Goth or no Goth, KG, this ROCKS! Un-building the wall is good. Count blessings for the deconstructivists, eh/?
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Indeed. Thank you, Ron.
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That is a wonderful write Ken, love and care!
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Thanks, Rob.
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My, that is fascinating, a real inner recognition, works powerfully.
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Thank you, Paul.
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Very welcome Ken.
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This is absolutely splendid! 💝 The darker the passion, the better .. though there can be times when one has to give more than the other. Thank you so much for writing to the prompt 😀
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Thank you, Sanaa.
And thank you for the prompt. 🙂
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Beautiful!
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Thank you. 🙂
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I love how you had that savior that only love can bring… we all need a light-bearer sometimes.
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We do, before we delve too deep into that darkness.
Thank you.
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Nice that you found a way to banish that Gothic darkness, Ken!
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😀
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I like that turn from darkness to light & hope.
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Thank you, Grace. A romantic at heart, I couldn’t help myself.
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Hurrah for the light-bearers, lest we live in a world of walls!!
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Thank you, Beverly. Bring on the light!
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