Today the d’Verse Poetics challenge for today is hosted by anmol(alias HA) and is centered on the subject of geography. I wanted another try at the prompt as I found it quite intriguing.
People who know me know that I am a Whovian who adores Doctor Who. After Steven Moffat’s story entitled “Blink” was released I had a real problem. I am a minister and suddenly I was afraid of living statues. Actually, a nearby town had a statue with the weeping angel shape in their yard and I literally rushed past it in my car for months.
This past Halloween Night, I was on a retreat at the Malvern Retreat Center when a friend of mine from the past two years pointed out that there were lots of statues around. I had never taken a walk in the woods on Halloween. What better time than after the evening service when we were all required to remain silent until morning? In other words, no nervous humming, no music, and nothing but the sounds of the forest on Halloween.
I walked down into the grotto to the largest collection of statues. I would say that my heart was beating out of my chest, but I learned anxiety breathing techniques that kept me from having a conniption. I made it down all the way and refused to run back up the hill.
There was something terrifying about being surrounded by hills and darkness on every side. It was as if I was descending to my doom like some Greek hero descending into the underworld. I wrote this poem to explore the feeling of descending into the darkness down into the depths of a valley with the earth rising up around me on one of the scariest nights of the year.
By the way, the friend almost hid in the woods to scare me, but realized that I would probably have instinctively hit him hard enough that he would have woken up in the hospital. He was probably right.
After the silence has fallen on dark paths.
Statuary reminds me of teary-eyed angels
Creeping out through the nightmares of my own imagination.
My heart beats as I descend the path
Into the depths of darkened statued hollow.
Every footfall echoes off of the trees stripped barren
As lights spread themselves too far and too thin for my racing heart.
Leaves whirl across path and confuse sounds
As darkness fills imagination with fear.
I ponder dark cliffs and the path before and behind
I blink one eye at a time as I seek shapes hiding ahead.
In the deep hollow all ways lead up
Darkness falls around in every direction
The statues and I all stand breathless in the darkness.
Primal fear wars with grown mind as I turn, look up, and close eyes:
Curse Steven Moffat’s monsters.
Distracted Pastor Ramblings 
“As lights spread themselves too far and too thin for my racing heart”. and “In the deep hollow all ways lead up” both very powerful descriptors to set the mood. sounds so terrifying!
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It actually was pretty scary, but don’t let my friend Ben know. He’d taunt me relentlessly at the next session.
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I promise I won’t tell.
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Statues in half light or dim light come alive, and it i unnerving. I understand exactly the inspiration for this piece. Well written Robert!
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Thank you. Looking back at that episode, it was a very simple effect. I still have the same reaction as I did/do whenever I watch (1922) “Nosferatu.” That movie creeps me out even 90+ years after it was released.
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I love your story! I cannot deal with horror movies. They creep me out! Sounds like they did a number on you too! :>) Great Poem!
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I actually once pondered writing a book about zombies and religion. I was once deeply affected by the work of George Romero. Having children has made me realize that growing minds are far scarier than empty (but hungry) minds.
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Even if I’m not very scared of statues such a setting would make them terrifying… I think it was wise of your friend not to scare you any further.
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It was very wise. I’m still thinking about pelting him with an orange next time we meet.
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I like the moment when you and the statues are breathless together, as if you could turn to stone, or they could waken.
What do you think of our new Doctor?
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Oh, I bought the T-shirt. She’s good (I have audiobooks with her portrayal) and I am glad for the shift away from London. I feel like that’s a real nod to folks who will spend their whole lives outside of London.
I have tried to watch a lot of classic Who and appreciate their way of chasing monsters into quarries far away from “London.” I think that was intentional and I will likely never be able to afford a family trip to London but there is a “Sheffield” nearby. Although, God bless the Doctor’s foes if she used Bethlehem Steel from Buffalo, NY!
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I’m glad you like her! She’s been quite controversial. I’m originally from Barnsley, which is about 25 miles from Sheffield, so we are neighbours. I don’t normally do this, but you might enjoy this post from my “other blog”: https://fantasticmetastaticme.wordpress.com/2018/10/30/i-am-an-alien-with-two-hearts
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