I wake up in night, the sweat is on my brow.
The clasping hands of fear are still with me now.
The images don’t fade with my awakening
and stay with me in darkness as though a living thing.
I see myself fall to the ground, laying on my back.
Someone calls 911. “He’s had a heart attack.”
They try to revive me with every drug and machine.
Finally they give up and I’m pronounced on the scene.
Then the terror sets in. In my mind I’m still alive.
Somehow they must find this out if I am to survive.
They take me to the morgue and cold steel is my bed.
I’m covered in a sheet, tagged and left for dead.
I can hear the voices coming through the door.
I struggle to be heard. In my mind I implore
God to send a miracle, somehow set me free
but still I lay in the darkness in my misery.
Seconds, minutes, hour – each an eternity.
Silently I cry out but no one comes for me.
I feel myself lifted and roughly carried out
Still I remain incapable of a simple shout.
I’m placed into a box – my final resting place.
I’ve come to accept my fate with poise and grace.
I say my final prayers and try and cleanse my soul
knowing that my future is a darkened hole.
But something isn’t right my senses all tell me:
a roaring sound and acrid smoke and then agony.
As I’m thrust forward, I can feel the flames of hell
and in this silent prison I can’t even yell.
As flesh melts from my bones and my fluids steam
I have a final thought – this time it’s not a dream.
Author notes
My fear: being thought dead and having to suffer thru cremation while still conscious.
Fear - being immobilized and thought dead, then burned alive.
Conflagration - a destructive fire, usually an extensive one.
Picture Credit: http://q8i.deviantart.com/art/Burned-Alive-636613
A contest entry
- The Sum of All My Fears by andywontdie.
4500 points, ended May 5, 2008, 20 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - My Favorite Nightmare by breedluv.
1500 points, ended July 21, 2008, 10 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Fear by Zerstort.
570 points, ended August 23, 2008, 16 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Critical Comments Always Welcome
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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this particular poem I find rather interesting. perhaps its the subject matter, I'm not quite sure actually. I've had dreams of being buried alive, the details however weren't this vivid.. the thought of this actually occurring, wonder what the chances are of this happening... forget I said that..
I didn't just say that.. anyway death used to fascinate me, not so anymore, not saying that I'm scared of it, cuz I'm not by any means. there is a definite feel of fear that grips one throughout this write. which is a talent that not all poets possess ..You've accomplished that quite well. You have managed to captivate my attention on this one.
You did a brilliant job with this one, and personally I don't think that you need the pic with this write. It can stand alone just fine without it.
Congratulations on the Gold, the Bronze and the HM
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Aaaahh!
Oh dear, I was panicking! This is scary....because I have a fear of just that. Well, I hadn't thought of the burned bit...but I always used to be afraid of being buried alive. I even had it all planned, if it ever happened, I would smack my head against the top of the coffin til I passed out so I wouldn't be lying there awake until I died of starvation or something. LOL...I know...weird thought processes.
Awesome poem, good luck in the contest!
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Congratulations on the bronze, a very interesting poem, it kept my attention all the way through.
All the best...Sue
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Wow! Good poem. Kept my attention. Awesome image as well. This was good enough to where I wanted to take it and tinker with it (turn it to my interpretation). Nice job!
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OOOhhhh! scary!
Something like my nightmare! A hellacious write!
Regards,
DeGraw
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I think you did an awesome job here. Very descriptive, eerie and makes you cringe at every startling turn. Your rhyme and rhythm were both very well done and enjoyed the overall theme, flow and material, all the way through i kept telling myself how this was something i would write and how similar our styles are, thanks for your entry and best of luck!
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Wow! That was intense!! It actually really freaked me out and I held my breath through most of it!!
Awesome write!!
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Poetry and any kind of writing is done to evoke feelings. Often when I read that people didn't like something because it made them feel this...or that...then I know it was a good poem (writing).
With that said....I hate this poem !!!!!! I felt very uneasy and a sense of panic came over me. So I guess you are being cremated, or did you just go to HELL?
Maybe there is no difference.
Good job with stirring up feelings, Ken.
Cheryl
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I left question open on purpose... This isn't my typical subject matter so I'm glad you felt the panic... which of course is what I was trying for... Thank you your comments!
Ken
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