Poem: The Idea of Pain

The crystal sphere melts under the influence of an enchantress who charms my abode withÂ amorousÂ kisses and playful licks of her sedative tongue. The beguiling mistress steals into my chamber and while Iâ€™m busyÂ revelingÂ in the company of my delightful gifts â€“ silk robes, jewels, food and wine, she embraces me tightly from behind. My senses precipitate under her numb influence as I begin to wither. I squeeze my eyes shut and clench my teeth in agony. She adds a coda of her own to the grand pas de trois performed by the naked moonlight,Â la danseuse noble, the kaleidoscopic Â evening, the blithe zephyr; and lashes out at the tout ensemble. Cowered by the pungent monstrosity of this diabolical seductress, these divine elements known to embalm a harried and a distrait soul, zip out of my chamber and dissolve into theÂ sombernessÂ of night.

I wake up to anÂ uncomfortableÂ and anÂ eerieÂ silence drowned in ambient darkness. The once pleasant air, now smells of dust. My lips are parched, throat dry and feet blistered. Iâ€™m beckoned by an invisible force; it cajoles me to get up on my trembling limbs and follow it against my will. I can barely stand on my legs, but summon enough courage to drag myself forward in the hope that I shall soon be greeted by a beacon heralding a new day. Tired, I plop on all fours and try to crawl forth with great difficulty. I yowl in order to summon help from unexpected corners. The sterile hinterland echoes with myÂ shriveledÂ voice which gradually dies down but not before it brings an avalanche of deathlike silence rolling down with enormous speed towards me.

Iâ€™m peacefully dead and buried now. But my inconsolable sobs still linger in the desolation and are audible to no one except me.

Comments: 16

Ann Marcaida Jan 27, 2013, 12:39pm UTC

Wow! What a surreal vision. The seductress seems to have been a viper. This leaves one looking for an allegorical meaning. Is the price of some pleasures too high? Is humanity so busy with artificial pleasure (drugs, virtual reality, etc.) that it's numbing and killing itself?

Tweeted.

Ratandeep Satwant Singh Jan 28, 2013, 11:27am UTC

Thank you very much for the kind comment and the tweet, Ann! Much obliged.

reply to this comment

David Prosser Jan 27, 2013, 12:44pm UTC

There are times I wish you didn't write such desolate agony with such beauty. Surely such elegant prose should be saved for the wit of life lived and love felt. But then I remember that two people may not feel the same way or see the same things day to day and no poet should be asked to change his view.

Ratandeep Satwant Singh Jan 28, 2013, 11:29am UTC

Thank you very much for your encouraging comment, David! I'm glad that you liked the verse.

reply to this comment

Len Maxwell Jan 27, 2013, 2:09pm UTC

I agree with Ann in that it is a surreal vision, somewhat disturbing and somewhat lovely.

Thanks for sharing with Gather’s Luminous Writers & Artists.

Ratandeep Satwant Singh Jan 28, 2013, 11:30am UTC

Thank you very much for the appreciation, Len! It's always a pleasure to hear from you.

reply to this comment

JOHN BECK Jan 27, 2013, 3:06pm UTC

The question remains: real or surreal, was the experience worth it?

Well written; ensnares the reader.

Ratandeep Satwant Singh Jan 28, 2013, 11:30am UTC

I can't thank you enough for your motivating comment, John! Much obliged.

reply to this comment

Angela A. Jan 27, 2013, 5:29pm UTC

Very well written!

Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!

Make your own banner at MyBannerMaker.com!

Ratandeep Satwant Singh Jan 28, 2013, 11:31am UTC

Thank you very much, Angela! Glad you liked it.

reply to this comment

Bernard C. Jan 28, 2013, 2:53am UTC

Laying in wait it usually a term considered to be life is over - interesting idea, nice write

Thank you for sharing and submitting to
The Surreal Circus.