I return to the place
every now and then
always petrified, bones ache
and grind, telling me to run
and on approach the smell
of damp concrete begins
to penetrate my senses
as I enter tragedy's domain
like crossing the threshold of fever dream
to nightmare,
where ghosts toy
with the dying carcass
of a life once lived.
*
I move further into its depth
and the nauseating muscle pump
of my heart
buries my ears and drains
the colour from my face.
That clammy cold
sits on my cheeks and back of my neck.
I arrive finally
at my altar and the air hisses
from me like a slashed tire.
At either end
of graffiti stained walls
cars and people and life
pass by... and nobody can see me,
hear me, save me.
Just as it was.
Just as it always will be.
*
Because I am part of this place now,
this wicked place..
Just as the puddles are.
Just as the cracks and crevices.
Just as the sour trash and rust.
Just as the leaking pipes,
the steaming grates
the watching walls
and sliver of merciless sky.
Just as he is.
Just as it was.
Just as it always will be.
About the Creator
Dean F. Hardy
Writer from Dublin, Ireland.
*All work here is owned by Dean F. Hardy*
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Heartfelt and relatable
The story invoked strong personal emotions
Comments (8)
Excellence! I expect nothing less from you. Great read, Dean!
"where ghosts toy with the dying carcass of a life once lived." This feeling. Is so unique and distinct. I know *exactly* what you're talking about. You could spend 100,000 words describing this feeling and fail to encapsulate it as effectively... viscerally... *masterfully* as you did here. Amazing piece, Dean. Thank you for this. π
Wow. This is real cool.
Every line of this is just β¦.wow. π
I may never enter a challenge again ππππ
Love the imagery, it painted a very good picture of the setting.β¨
Some really well painted imagery. Appreciated so many vivid word choices: steam, sour, hisses, slashed. And your pic ended up going well with it, nice work :) To me, this felt like an inevitable, albeit resigned, coming home of sorts. I enjoyed the read.
Senses engaged with this one, for real. I enjoyed the read, Dean!