Inspired by 2.15, The Nightmare
Wake Up!
The night mare canters to my room
dark of mane, with eyes of gloom,
her rider with a wicked grin,
sits on my chest, strokes his chin–
he dares me to wake,
but I cannot move or shake
or shift my legs or move my arm,
though I sense he plans to do me harm—
“What time is it?” I ask him,
in hope (though somewhat dim)–
But he can only grumble and sigh,
from astride the mare, he calls goodbye,
“I’ll see you again, don’t you think?”
then nods and gives a terrifying wink.
Recently my older child told me that asking “what time is it?” to people or creatures you see in dreams is a thing on Tik Tok. I haven’t had the type of dream where I’ve been able to or thought to try it, but thought I’d have some fun with the idea here.
Paul Brookes is hosting a month-long ekphrastic challenge using folklore images to celebrate the launch of his new poetry collection, “As Folktaleteller.” You can see the images here and also read the other responses. I’ve revised this some from the poem posted there.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
Thank you, Paul.
You made that unnerving painting sound a bit of a romp 🙂
Horror-comedy. 🙂
There’s a TV show called “Evil” that has that tone. I’m a bit overwhelmed with some work and other stuff right now. I guess I needed something fun.
Your ‘horror’ poems are very tongue in cheek. Fun is probably the best way to play it.
That might be true. I’ve sometimes turned nightmares into funny dreams.
I can’t do that. When I have a nightmare that frightens me when I’m in it, it terrifies me when I wake up.
I’ve had horrible or very sad dreams, too. It doesn’t always work for me.
The dream person doesn’t always seem to be the same as the waking person. I’ve had the most gruesome dreams that didn’t make the dream person bat an eyelid.
Interesting.
I haven’t had any gruesome dreams in a long time.
That’s probably a good sign. The other night I dreamt that husband announced that to escape the summer heat it would be an idea to move to Cork in Ireland. Since yesterday, Cork centre has been flooded…
Note to self, do not follow dream husband’s advice. 🙂
He was a bit surprised at his own advice 🙂
Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you, Michael!
Always my pleasure, Merril! Have a nice weekend! xx Michael
Thank you so much, Michael. You as well. 💙
What kind of “thing” I wonder? I like my mares of night on the moon….(K)
A good place for them, Kerfe. Not that we can always control them. 😏
Indeed not.
I really like how you’ve used rhyme in this poem. It gave me the sense that the speaker was trying to minimize–or even trivialize–the terror of that nightmare.
Thank you, Liz.
For some reason, these images are making me rhyme. 🙂
But I think you’re right about trying to minimize the terror.
You’re welcome, Merril.
Good fun
Thank you, Derrick. 😊
What????????????? You’ve creeped me out in more ways than one. How does one ask a character in a dream anything? how can a dream be dictated to by the awake mind?
Hahaha. I guess this one worked if I creeped you out. 😏
I guess you don’t have lucid dreams? I don’t think I’ve had many where I can actually ask things, but I’m often aware that I’m dreaming. And I’ve changed scary dreams to make them less scary.
Yes, I can know I’m dreaming and change things, but I can’t imagine bringing in a preexisting order to myself!!!
Apparently it can be done!
Sounds a little suspect to me, I guess. This must be dreams that are so close to the surface of being awake that they are more like hallucinations!
My older child did it.
I think whenever you have a lucid dream you’re closer to the surface and/or they are dreams you have before you wake up. But they are dreams, not hallucinations.
(I can tell you about some wild hallucinations my mom had!)
Oh wow. Yeah, my dad did right before he died. I had hallucinations when I was on demerol LOL .
I really like this one! An interactive nightmare which is surprisingly less frightening to me than it should be… I mean, he will be back means he won’t hurt, right?
Thank you!
I think interactive makes it less frightening, for sure. As to his intentions–who knows?😏
True… Let’s hope he just looks imposing… 😉
Have you ever watched the show, Evil? One of the main characters sees a devil in her dreams. I think his name is George. 🤣
No, I haven’t. Should I?
I like it. It’s the same couple who did The Good Wife and The Good Fight–very quirky. Scary stuff mixed with humor, and the best opening credits that come halfway through the show.
Oooh! My kinda show!
🤣
This reminded me of the final scene of Doctor Faustus – those dreaded horses of the night!
Oh, interesting. I hadn’t thought of that at all.
Thank you!