Happy October! To kick off my seasonal blog fun, I’m reprinting one of my poems here.
“Fiend” was first published last year in the HWA Poetry Showcase Volume II by the Horror Writers Association. I always enjoy the broad range of poetic styles and topics in these anthologies, and am honored to be included. I hope you enjoy!
Fiend
When the dreams begin,
I slip in and crouch on your chest,
compressing relaxation
into something tighter, heavier.
The soft little moan of protest you give?
My cocktail.
I sip it from your lips
like fine brandy.
You try to shift; I settle in.
The slick dew that blooms
on your forehead tastes salty and sour –
an exquisite appetizer.
My darling,
you are one of my favorites.
Once the nightmare takes hold,
your eyeballs roam fiercely behind your lids.
I want to pluck them out
and pierce them with my teeth,
but I resist
for now.
I content myself with swallowing whole
your cry of fear.
The frantic beats of your heart,
my main course,
rising and rising, faster, faster,
heightened by those delicious shouts.
Your thrashing arm brushes my cheek,
and I nuzzle the fine hairs that stand on end there,
breathing in the aroma.
My dinner music:
the grinding of your teeth,
the convulsive rhythm of your swallow.
The longer I stay with you,
the further you descend
into the twisted world of sleep.
I could make a glutton of myself.
I could devour you and, perhaps,
finally feel satiated –
fill the chasm within –
for once, know what it is
to not be hollow.
But not this time, darling.
This time I will slip away
and give you time to recover,
for another night will come
when I will need you again.
Someday, though.
Someday I will take my fill.
© Annie Neugebauer, 2015
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I love that!! It’s absolutely perfect for October, so creepy and terrifying, yet somehow completely believable. You really brought a smile to my face with this one. I hope your October is fantastic!
Aw, thank you so much, Lexa! You too!
What a fabulous poem — spooky, Annie! I may be afraid to go to bed tonight!!! Especially if I feel something brush past my arm hairs. Eeks!
Mwahaha. Thanks, Melissa! 😉
Great poem! Makes think of the night hag, a succubus, or a spirit of fear.
On an unrelated note, I passed your name along to the FB Writer’s Cafe, particularly your character worksheets.
I can’t recommend them enough. I found that when I completed them for my sub characters, I automatically understood their subplots!
Thank you! Yes, the succubus is exactly what I was thinking of when I wrote it. 🙂
And wow, how cool! That makes me really happy to hear. Thanks for letting me know and for sharing with your group!
Annie, it has taken me six days since you have posted this to be able to compose a response. This poem is breathtaking. I adore it. I love your vision and your poetic voice(s). Keep doing you, Ms. Neugebauer. You don’t have much longer before you’re so famous you’ll want to be a hermit. 😉 Thank you for reprinting this poem, a new favorite of mine.
Oh my god! I’m delighted that you like it so much, Ashley. I almost didn’t post it; now I’m so glad I did. Thank you so much!
Darn creepy. Most horror writing concentrates on the experience of the victim’s fear. Quite unusual to develop a sense of fear from the perspective of the perpetrator. Great insight into the fiend, as well. The hollowness within; the patience; the almost romantic seduction of the victim’s fear. Outstanding.
Wow, thanks, Jay!
So much atmosphere in your poems, Annie. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Nina!
Fantastic! I love it!
Thank you!!