Tree of Spirits

Tree of Spirits

There is a world far beyond our own,

Where there is a tree and not a soul.

Planted on the dark side of the horizon

It harbors the spirits lost in tragedies

Struggling to find a place in Heaven.

When the moon sneaks above the sky

Looking like a black orb without radiance,

Looms out of the dark clouds with a sneer,

Then the tree glows in vibrant colors

With smoky hues of red, green and blue

Forming a grim nimbus around it.

This grotesque spectacle is conjured

By the occult of witches and warlocks

For the souls try to take forms of the past

In a hellish way to liberate themselves

From the leash of branches entwined

Within the hideous trunk from which

Beautiful faces and rotten skulls and

Mortified eyes peer into the darkness

In a despairing search for a glimpse

Of something that breathes.

August 29, 2020

Notes

This work was originally published as part of a photo prompt hosted on Instagram.

Clouds of Smoke

Clouds of Smoke

Getting lost in the clouds of smoke,

Forgetful of the imminent choke;

Mesmerized by its misty spirit,

She drowns in the fantasy of it.

Walking through the fog of ash,

Even through the litter of trash,

She enjoyed every step by foot

And smiled at the drizzling soot.

I am on the hilltop, she believed,

And felt more alive than relieved.

The smog had become her reality,

Fillng her lungs with congeniality.

It was the only one to be near her,

That promised to be with her forever.

This can be considered as a sequel to Puffs of Smoke.

July 10, 2020

Puffs of Smoke

Puffs of Smoke

Lost and confused, I light a joint;

Minding over matter with no point.

With the first suck of distress,

The poignant past is triggered.

Unsheathing the dagger of bitterness,

It is jabbed until the pain is heard.

The fume is held long enough

Ignoring the shortness of breath.

Then it is whispered out in despair

With well-timed rings of death.

The second smoke is breathed in

For the sake of temporary relief.

With the cuts driving deep within,

The hapless mind is in disbelief.

The final gush of smoke is inhaled

Wishing for a tiny bit of solace.

But the heartbeats are overburdened

By the poisonous vapors of disgrace.

For the end of ageless torment to begin

The soul concedes to depart from the skin.

July 9, 2020

In Love With The Dark

This is a verse I came up with last night when I was in bed.

In Love With The Dark

Being in the light -

I don't get sleep

Even if I want to!

Or I see many faces

Which I don't want to!

It allows unnecessary focus

That is uncalled for;

Making my soul go sore!

But then, there is darkness -

Waiting for a warm hug in its bosom.

It engulfs me like a blanket,

Without needing a real one.

It keeps me nice and warm,

Mesmerizing me to sleep,

Making me oblivious to

The unending stream of
Irksome thoughts and memories.

It never lets me down;

Never letting the world know

That I am around, in some corner,

Shielding my soul from the misery

All around.

May 5, 2019