It’s nightfall
the darkness now descends
the hand of grief extends
terror is knocking at the door
it’s nightfall
words of horror stain my lips
sweetness slips through my fingertips
and scatters ‘cross the floor
it’s nightfall
the shadows stoke my fears
a voice of dread rings in my ears
I am broken evermore
it’s nightfall
dark waves of misery
are rising like the sea
I am stranded on the shore
it’s nightfall
would I were alone
confusion grips me to the bone
horror chills me to my core
it’s nightfall
again you call my name
I’m about to go insane
I just can’t take it anymore
it’s nightfall
“yes dear! I can hear you”
your nagging drives me crazy
so tired of your calling me lazy
it’s nightfall
“certainly dear! I know your feet are sore
I’ll pick the candy up off the floor
I’m happy to answer the” g’damned “door!”
it’s nightfall
before the sun rises tomorrow
I’ll end my pain and sorrow
going to end that nagging
forevermore!
*
rob kistner © 2021
Poetry at: dVerse
~ SHORT VERSION ~
~ NIGHTMARE ON MY STREET ~
~ FULL VERSION ~
My goodness this is good! The chilliness that threatens to seep into the bones around this time is so palpable here. I especially like; “it’s nightfall/words of horror stain my lips/sweetness slips through my fingertips/and scatters ‘cross the floor.” 🙂
Thank you Sanaa, glad you liked this! Yes, hubby dropped the candy on the floor getting to the door, but the lady of the house let him know the score… 🙂
Incredible. I don’t know the form, but your lines become hypnotic, which is a perfect set-up for your edgy twist ending. Perhaps you had too much fun with this one; not.
Don’t know what the form might be Glenn, I was just going for an EA Poe feeling. I left several vague hints in the earlier verses to tie into the ending. Glad you liked it bros… 🙂
Rob, I got a real good chuckle out of this one. You wrote this so well and then your delicious twist at the end. “sweetness slips through my fingertips” seems so innocent at first and then… the horror! lol
Glad you liked it Lisa… 🙂
Well, what witty fun that was. When my children were small, our street thronged with little witches and goblins and I enjoyed every minute. Now I live in an over-55 community and it’s a very quiet night!!
We live at the end of a long private drive, so we see no one either Bev.
Was not expecting that ending, LOL. Good write, Rob! The repetition gave this a foreboding feel, like a monster stalking.
I was playing eith extremes in this piece — the suspenseful to the absurd.
Hahaha – I didn’t see the ending coming! And we can all laugh, but nagging can become pretty abusive. It’s another trait that may feel good to the nagger for a while, but in the end only does harm.
Anything can be taken the the extreme Ingrid, even to the cruel. I do not like nagging, the only poor trait to which my wife is occasionally drawn. I think that’s why I find it so off putting. I appreciate that you grasp the gist of my work. Thank you friend.
This was really great Rob. I could almost feel you cowering from the nag bag at the end. How funny we both chose a nagging theme for this prompt!
Nagging is the worst Christine!
Chuckle, chuckle //// the end took me by surprise, a tasty treat for Halloween season. {I am broken evermore} is a great line.
Thank you Helen! 🙂
Halloween is not a public event here in Trinidad and Tobago, though we have our compendium of folk tales and characters. However there has been talk over the years of those ofvthe younger generation holding Halloween parties( pre covid 19 of course)
Luv your repeting phrase and rhyming, the sweetness, frustration and dark twist to end.
Happy you dropped by my blog
Much love…
Enjoyed my visit Gillena. Appreciate you stopping by. Much love to you my friend! ??????
Love how the repetition reflects the incessant nagging , and the unexpected chilling last word ‘forevermore’. ????????
Thank you Marion. Guess the guy had had enough. 🙂
Silly emojis haven’t worked. It should have been scary face, laughing face!
My site is so old it doesn’t recognize emojis — but I like the contrasting faces, and appreciate the thought Marion… 🙂
wonderful twist and the form, the way you’ve used the rhyme and close to the same meter throughout definitely works and most definitely gives this a “Poe-sque” feeling. I thought pretty much your ending was going to be what it was, but I did have to wait to the absolute minute to be 100% sure, so kudos for that. Great tension build-up …. and yup, nagging can be such a drag – whether on the receiving or giving end – …
Thank you! Oh yes it can, it certainly can… 🙁
There always comes the moment when the straw breaks the camel’s back…Great build up of tension.
Thank you Kerfe!
I will be sure not to visit your house at night!
We live on a long private drive Sean, so it’s a bit of a trek.
Great repetition and rhyming and building up of the tension and then….wham! DONE!
Well done!
Thank you Lillian! 🙂 I feel this horror saga of Gwen, “The Suitor”, and “The Lover” may not as yet truly concluded. Who knows? Hmmm…
Rob,
I could hear brother Edgar talking over your shoulder: his muse lives! “Frevermore!”
pax,
dora
Thank you Dora!:)
Wow! So effective, great scary ending… 😀
Thank you.