Startled, I often rise up from sleep,
with my limbs trembling and sweat drenched
but my throat turned too sore and dry,
choked as if by the soot of fear,
in the throes of a tragic dream,
a dreadful and haunting nightmare,
borne by past follies or tomorrow’s loss,
too pale and numb and shaken to my core!
The former kinds keep chasing us
like the Furies in Orestes,
to avenge Clytemnestra’s death,
while the latter, always taunting
that we might lose our dearest things –
be it affluence, power, life, love or fame!
If we could stop worrying for the future
and let go of the past for once and all,
we could have savored the heavens right here
and set the world free from Incubus, the Terrible!
.
Resounding depth my friend. Incisive work.
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that is very generous of you!
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thank you! that is very generous of you!
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A brilliant piece, Amit. Nicely done.
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thanks a lot Darren!
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Reblogged this on SOMETIMES and commented:
[This beautiful poem by one of my favorite poets rings SO true that the RE-BLOG button is very welcome so that I might republish it here. Thanks, Amit! (Gradmama2011]
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I am immensely honored! thanks a lot!
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Thank YOU, Amit. I love this poem, I appreciate the permission to re-blog. 🙂
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feel free to use them as you like!
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thanks, and please do the same as you please. 🙂
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you are welcome and thanks for being lenient!
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wonderful, Amit…please excuse the understatement! I often experience the very terror you describe in your opening lines, and relate to every word. 🙂
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sad to hear about your experience… hope you can overcome it soon!
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Chapter1:http://wp.me/p7i9o3-4
Chapter 2:http://wp.me/p7i9o3-7
Chapter 3: http://wp.me/p7i9o3-Z
Do read them
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sure!
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I always love reading your words but each time you add Mythological concepts, there is another dimension added to them, a deeper richness and a universal feeling.
🙂
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Mythology, I believe, contains the most ancient of truths humankind has known, albeit, veiled behind dazzling heroism and the inevitable hands of fate. I guess I love looking at the truth through the sparkling veils of mythology! and you have a mythic name 😀
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Past follies or tomorrow’s loss. You certainly hit the mark there. The two things we cannot let go of, no matter what we do. It is human nature to learn from the past and to endeavor to secure the future, and so we are caught in a vicious, inescapable cycle. I like the expression you begin the poem with; the Incubus is a creature of fire, but cold fire also burns with its intense chill, a coldness of fear, that grasps the heart in its taloned hand. Neither is dreams nor in wakefulness do we find a release from that choking fear.
Oh, so much said, in so few words, and so many meanings to be found!! But heaven and hell are right here on Earth. So we must resist the Incubus as best we may, to find the gates that lead to eternal Peace.
Wonderful! Wonderful indeed! Stemming from such varied mythological sources, has caused the meaning to be open to personal interpretation. Nicely done!! Applause!!
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thank you yet again for such a hearty review. I try to make the title of the poem it’s first line, so I am delighted to find that we are aligned. I don’t know what else to say in response, for your compliments have left me speechless. thank you for liking the poem!
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You’re very welcome! It is so replete with meaning. I have had a lot of fun re-reading it numerous times!
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you know there is no greater honor for a poet, than when his poems are read and reread by one of his most favorite critic! so thank YOU!
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Oh wow! That truly is an honor! I never expected to become a critic, let alone a favorite one. Thank you for allowing me that role. I will try my best to fill those shoes.
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the way I see it, you should not have to try too hard to fill your own shoes! 😀 to my mind you earned it by the dint of your reviews.
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Haha! Good thing I’ve never been inclined to be big headed due to an overabundance of compliments! 😉 plus I do have good shoes. 😛
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😀 see, I have hit a bulls eye with my choice!
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😀 I’ll wait a few more months before I start putting on airs!
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don’t wait with an idle pen that is all I request!
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No, I don’t think I can do that anyway.
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that’s one of the greatest news I have heard today! best of luck!
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Thank you.
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you are always most cordially welcome!
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Agreed! Let it all go and watch the magic happen.
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thank you!
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great poem Amit! Vanquish that Incubus! Pluck out his eyes so he may not see your dreams or find them and they may pass like bright, winged things carrying you safe to the new morn! 😀 Now look what you’ve done, I’m rhapsodizing in the comments! 😀
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and honoring me… wish more of my posts had that effect on you!
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Blame my job for that not your wonderful writing. I have to sneak onto WP to read your words and leave covert messages while my superiors are looking elsewhere 🙂
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:p take care! 😉 wish the saying was “Everything is fair for art and poetry!”, instead!
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I do! I am very careful with my blog reading at work. Today I am off work. So I am able to devote my full attention to your wonderfulness. 😀 I do wish all was fair not just for art and poetry but other things besides, 🙂
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to the wonderfulness in everything!
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😀 i’ll raise my cup of tea to that!
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and I my mug of coffee!
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😀
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😀
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😀
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on second thought, I will only blame my writings on weekends, can I?
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oh no, never blame your writing ! interpret silence as awe and the quiet sound of minds one by one being blown. Hard to type a comment when your brain is seized by the words you have read and can form no coherent thought, just a dropped jaw and reverent awe 🙂
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hahahaha! awesome self-portrait! 😀 from now on every time you like a post I will have that image pictured! may God bless you as you have blessed me!
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aw thank you! 🙂 I’m glad you’re seeing things correctly now 🙂
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😀
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😀
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Wow, very nice.
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thank you!
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That is too much honor!
I am very touched by your way!
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thanks a lot!
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Great battles are in ourselves.
The world is our miror.
Seek light in our abysses.
This is the victory over the world of darkness.
I believe in the Light.
It’s The Only Truth.
Light is the greatest force.
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wow! it is truly brilliant!
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