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The Darkness

The darkness descends with its gloom
Wrathful clouds release their cold rain
Alone, imprisoned in this room
Bold wind rattles the windowpane.

Wrathful clouds release their cold rain
On a canvas of purple gloam.
Bold wind rattles the windowpane
As wayward geese make their way home.

On a canvas of purple gloam
Hunter moon rises in night sky
As wayward geese make their way home
All hope lost, I begin to cry.

Hunter moon rises in night sky
An owl cries out in the chill air
All hope lost, I begin to cry
It seems all roads point to nowhere.

An owl cries out in the chill air
Daylight is doused and nights are long
It seems all roads point to nowhere
I lift my voice in a swan song.

Daylight is doused and nights are long
Alone, imprisoned in this room
I lift my voice in a swan song
The darkness descends with its gloom.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2022
October 14, 2022

I was determined to write a pantoum this week, as it’s been a while since I wrote one. After looking at a list of Kevin Bacon movies, there were some good titles… but “The Darkness” stood out for me. (TRIGGER WARNING: she’s taking a walk on the dark side again, haha!!!!) The poem just sort of morphed from there. I threw some lines down and worked it like a jigsaw puzzle. Fun!

I tried to take elements of autumn, darkness and the changes of this season to illustrate moods we sometimes feel. Darkness, hopelessness, feeling paralyzed, frustrated, like things are spiraling out of our control. We’ve been hearing an owl hooting out there in our backyard, and there’s been a bit of moody weather. It’s getting darker earlier, and sometimes that makes you just feel like nesting and not going anywhere or doing much of anything at all. I’m not really a prisoner in my own room, but after recovering from surgery and working long hours from home… it kind of makes you feel that way!!

I love writing dark, it’s my therapy and a constructive release of pent-up emotions. Sometimes it is just a fleeting thought or memory that comes out of the blue and doesn’t necessarily reflect anything negative that’s going on in my life. It’s just poetry – so no need for worry!

The good news is that I’m released from my surgeon, back to my regular exercise schedule and an ALMOST normal diet. I still have to watch fat intake, I rarely eat fried foods so that helps. Last night I baked a homemade veggie pizza on my new pizza stone, it turned out delicious. Our intention is to get out and enjoy the autumn weather today. The leaves are starting to change color, and I want to experience it in person (not just from my window)! So we will head out to a winery and listen to music. That’s our special thing. I am also hoping to get outside for a run tomorrow, as well. That is always good for my spirits.

Seize the day! Get out and enjoy something you love this beautiful autumn weekend!

xoxo
Colleen