Total Immersion
Total Immersion …
The scene is set. At night the shadows climb.
The moonlight gently slips through my fingers
Cathartically, I paint about my crimes
As the corpse of a shadow beast lingers.
It lingers near the wailing prayers I speak
Near the tears wept too often for nothing.
The words I whisper where the walls are weak,
A spot where I hope someone hears something.
Yet I paint, drunk with color, life to canvas,
blotting empathy, wallowing in strokes .
But in dark tones the ivories are anxious
And the walls are cold, like funeral smoke.
I breathe so heavy, my eyes tracing dirt,
My brow tipped low in sadness of my worth
My breath now spent, and my diaphragm hurts,
my tears pour in steady rivulets to earth.
This sadness like a crashing wave consumes,
And armies of sentiments are rushing in.
These deepened walls demonized this bedroom,
And their opinions lead to destruction.
Still, I envy this total immersion,
to cleanse the spirit of its wicked whims.
The spot where dramatics were incursion,
and purging happened where the walls were grim.
- …this day… - January 20, 2023
- The Tides of Despair - January 13, 2023
- An “Exile” - December 30, 2022







Paul, this is a very expressive rendering of walls closing in for “total immersion” in memories and events that led up to a great loss. ( where shutting self in to face the life changes is necessary for the beginning of a spiritual cleansing or healing time? ) Very well penned with stark imagery.
You got it Phyllis. Its almost like you have to hit the bottom before you can rise. Something sad happens then you have to break down the barrier and cleanse yourself. Thank you for your kind words Phyllis.~Paul
That’s called Walking On The Dark Side, Paul. http://www.creativeexiles.com/2016/04/walking-dark-side-without/
Hope it helps, it has sure helped me many times in my life.
That poem was truly amazing and I understand what you are trying to say. I dabble in dark side expressiveness, more like kicking the pebbles than walking in it. Forgive the corny reference but i am like a Grey Jedi, passion yet peace, chaos yet order, when it comes to my writing, almost like an in the moment poet.Plus i feel i am more expressive in the darker literature. Thank you so much for sharing your poetry with me, they were really good.
Thank you so much, Paul. ‘Grey Jedi’ – I like that. I, too, am more expressive in darker literature, that’s why I love your poem.
Some wonderful wordplay and very original phrasing, very much appreciated Paul. Great work my friend.
Thank you so much Tony, glad you enjoyed it. Have a lovely day my friend.~Paul