IDYLLS IN DARKNESS: Selected Poems by Troy D. Smith
SAMPLE POEMS THE TRAVELERS "Once," she said, "I dreamed I flew high above the clouds Beneath the pale moon Soaring on the winds of the night And the world was miles beneath me, And the people were like insects, And their cares were smaller still. But when I awoke I was cold, so cold." "I cannot remember my dreams," he replied, "But merely lapse into lethargy, Sinking into the embracing darkness My mind covered with a torpid veil. But in the morning I have a strange sensation That I have traveled far to a pleasant land Which I can neither recall nor define, And it saddens me greatly." They sought then to travel together, One giving direction, the other warmth. But in the end, he looked up and saw her Rising into the clouds, arms outstretched, And he sank, consigned, Into the alluring darkness. RIDER IN SHADOWCame a horseman, riding, riding Through the wasteland, dry and dying, In the desert wind, moaning, sighing, A pale horseman, riding, riding. Chill and somber, grey and ashen Illumined by the lightning's flashing Surrounded by the thunder crashing Like the angel's final claxon. With starless eyes made of stone Astride a grim and silent roan Came he riding, silent, lone, Name and nature all unknown. And many saw, and many stared, And wondered where the stranger fared What secrets held he, dark, unshared. Some made to ask, but no one dared. No word spoke he to any man No gesture made with face nor hand Only stared with eyes like a darkling brand And rode into the shifting sand. And many claimed, when he was out of sight, They knew his face; and well they might For often had he ridden by the moon's pale light Among their dreams in the murky night, Among the shadows, out of sight. THE MAN WHO FAILEDA man spoke to me of glories Of marvels to see, of riches to gain. I told him these were only stories, To chase after them would be insane. For unlike him I knew, you see, The truth -the bitter truth of life. That it is all an empty dream, An endless sea of pain and strife. But my warnings were to no avail For he would not be deterred. He boarded a ship and then set sail. His failure I knew to be assured. Many years passed 'till he came back around. We both were tired. We both were old. I still had not moved from that same piece of ground And my friend was clothed in finest gold. Clothed in glittering Shimmering gold... IDYLLS IN DARKNESS Midnight, and the sun has fallen Long ago into the sea Of twilight (but it will rise again, they say.) So in fitting with the somber mood, The chilly air of wintry night, I set aside bright daylight dreams And wear upon my shoulders the solemn cloak Of evening. Leave 'till the morrow my Sonnets in sunlight And weave instead Idylls in darkness. THE DANCE OF YOUTH I saw an old woman Dancing to music By which she used to leap and sing And love And she danced a slow Shuffling silence Whose whispered melody was broken By a sob THE EMPTY ROOM "Come inside," she told the world. "There is room, and it is warm And bright and lovely." She flashed a hollow smile, And opened the door And they looked inside And saw that it was dark And empty And she cried.