Delirium

leesha-hannigan-sketches

Delirium lurks near pebbled corner
its breath a cloud of ash and smoke.
I gasp in horror as it advances forth
probing into both mind and soul ―

Wind strikes hard as cold settles in,
feeling angst, sweet as boysenberry.
I flash a devious smile as above flies
hawk. Rouse me lest I breathe not
hope ―

 

 

Photo credits:Β Leesha Hannigan

Kerry asked us to consider part of the film Samsara, The Angst of Sagazan for our work.

Posted for Flash 55 Plus @ Real Toads

Posted on Poetry Pantry @ Poets United

56 thoughts on “Delirium

  1. Kerry O'Connor says:

    Oh, I like that flash of a devious smile!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Kerry πŸ™‚ so glad you liked it ❀️

  2. Isadora Gruye says:

    Great work evoking an emotion using your imagery. I particularly liked how you built to that last line. Well done and viva la!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you kindly, Isadora πŸ™‚ so good to see you ❀️

  3. Rommy says:

    The idea of angst being as sweet as boysenberry is a really intriguing image. It almost makes me think that the protagonist savors the taste of madness, even its just a tiny bit, and yet the intensity of it is so cloyingly sweet as to be suffocating.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Gosh Rommy, I’m amazed how well you interpreted this poem!❀️ xo

  4. Bjorn Rudberg says:

    It feels almost like angst can be a temptress.. maybe we need a bit of that pain in our life.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely ❀️ thanks for stopping by, Bjorn πŸ™‚

  5. Your words and your chosen images dance so well together.

    And the idea of delirium lurking is so vivid!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Magaly ❀️ so good to see you πŸ˜€

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Rosemary ❀️ so glad you liked it πŸ˜€

  6. This is an exquisite piece of writing. Great work Sanaa πŸ™‚

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Purba ❀️ so good to see you πŸ˜€

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you kindly, Rajani πŸ™‚

  7. Sumana Roy says:

    a wonderful piece, specially the first line…

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Sumana ❀️ so glad you liked it πŸ™‚

  8. Old Egg says:

    That beautiful trusting feeling of hope and the confidence of a smile should see you through.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely ❀️ thanks for stopping by, Robin πŸ™‚

  9. gillena says:

    Awesome write Sanaa; yes indeed, awake to hope

    much love…

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Gillena ❀️ so glad you liked it πŸ˜€

      Much love back..❀️

  10. Jae Rose says:

    Sweet as boysenberry – what a divine thought.. delirium can indeed be a warm wave that flows through us

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely ❀️ thanks for stopping by, Jae πŸ˜€

  11. I think this is one of your very best poems Sanaa- a favourite of mine with all that movement of feeling

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Laura ❀️ so glad you liked it πŸ˜€

  12. kaykuala h says:

    flash a devious smile as above flies hawk.
    rouse me lest I breathe not hope ―

    There may be hints to be thinking about. Still one must be able to foresee whether it will offer some solutions

    Hank

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Hank πŸ™‚ so glad you liked it ❀️

  13. Mary says:

    Such frightening (chilling) imagery!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Mary ❀️ so good to see you πŸ˜€

  14. Magical Mystical Teacher says:

    Having no hope to breathe would be disastrous!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Indeed! Thanks for stopping by, MMT ❀️

  15. Angie says:

    That boysenberry really pops here, as it did in the video πŸ™‚

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely❀️ thank you kindly, Angie πŸ™‚

  16. I really like the smile, and the hawk.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Sherry ❀️ so glad you liked it πŸ™‚

  17. ZQr says:

    Your first stanza, alone, nailed it Perfect.
    ZQ

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, ZQ πŸ™‚ so glad you liked it ❀️

  18. Susan says:

    The Boysenberry threw me off course for minute, and then I remember a time decades ago when I thought madeness would be restful, a sweet break from reality. I like that in the midst of this plea not to succumb.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Definitely ❀️ thanks for stopping by, Susan πŸ˜€
      xo

  19. Wendy Bourke says:

    This is crafted so well … and the hanging hope: mesmerizing.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Wendy ❀️ so glad you liked it πŸ™‚

  20. Elizabeth says:

    Madness is an escape we must allow ourselves on occasion, lest we lose sight of what sanity really looks like. I too like the Boysenberry reference. It forces the reader to stop and consider,

    Elizabeth

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Elizabeth ❀️ so glad you liked it πŸ™‚

  21. Sara McNulty says:

    I love the sounds in this ending.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Sara ❀️ so glad you liked it πŸ™‚

  22. Wonderful opening lines, Sanaa:
    ‘Delirium lurks near pebbled corner
    its breath a cloud of ash and smoke’.
    But I really like the way the final stanza hints at the enjoyment of angst, that twisted longing for it!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Kim ❀️ so good to see you πŸ˜€

  23. Myrna says:

    This left me yearning for hope, which sometimes seems like delirium because reality can be so devastating. Love how you led to the last line.

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Myrna ❀️ so glad you liked it πŸ™‚

  24. Julian says:

    Such a fine piece of writing,

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Julian πŸ™‚ so glad you liked it ❀️

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Colleen ❀️ so glad you liked it πŸ™‚

  25. Great lines…the feeling so well-expressed…

    I flash a devious smile as above flies
    hawk. Rouse me lest I breathe not
    hope—excellent!

    1. Sanaa says:

      Thank you so much, Sreeja πŸ™‚ so glad you liked it ❀️

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