A dismal obscurity silently descended over the nighttime in the garden of secret and forbidden desires. Once again, the storm had fulfilled its promise to erase ancient memories and delusional hopes from the realm of fantasies and chimaeras. The nights followed each other like a sequence of fables without any beginning or end. All the flowers withdrew from the tempest’s thunder, leaving soaked soil filled with decay and fragments of burning flames. The bitterness of the magic potions that I had to swallow in my frantic existence turned my heart into a heavy stone to carry through nights of solitude and restlessness. Flares of anguish burst in the nighttime while the stars watched me closely like a bizarre creature, who was unworthy of inhabiting that enchanted place filled with wild eccentricities. The freezing wind was so fiercely cold and violent that I could not remain standing for even a moment, reminding me of my fragility and transience. The more unbearable truths demanded to be revealed the more I shrank from discovering them in the great mirror of dilemmas. No matter how much I wanted to cast off all those painful and demoralising memories, they appeared as menacing shadows wherever I went. A dismal obscurity had cast a spell all over the night and no portal could have conducted me to other surroundings since my fate had decreed that I could never depart from the realm of ill-omened nightmares and indulgent sufferings. The art of suffering had become my delight during those harrowing nights of burning tears. The stupor had not even allowed me a moment to relinquish my role as a dreamer of lost, fragmented dreams. The eternal darkness could have been magnificent each instant that a dismal obscurity had claimed my heart solely for the mere purpose of making me feel in each part of my body the misery of the loss of all my dreams while the stars and the moon mocked me with their looks of contempt.
Elisabetta Esther
Tag: English poetry
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A Dismal Obscurity
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In The Labyrinth Of Sighs
In the labyrinth of sighs, a place suspended in time and unreachable by human beings, mysterious shadows and riddles lay beneath the crystal starlight that shone brightly over the kingdom of heavenly nightmares. Slowly I tried to find an escape but the more I proceeded the more I found myself at the same point at the very beginning. In vain I studied the opportunities to free myself from that labyrinth, nevertheless, it seemed that there was no chance for me to flee. At each moment a sigh revealed to me a part of the secrets that had been concealed by the clouds of dusk, when the moon could have touched the sleek dark blue surface of the ocean. Ominous shadows manifested their presence around me surrounding me with startling emotions making me hesitate to continue my frenetic quest for freedom. Was all that I needed a quest for the very liberty from an extremely extravagant place claiming my heart in a vehement storm of dismay and longing? As long as I was forced to stay in the labyrinth of sighs I could find myself absorbed in my thoughts between sweet and bitter pleasures while the moon on the horizon re-emerged from the brilliant ocean as if it had been born from the deepest depths. I felt the starlight caressing me softly descending all over me like a rain of delicate petals whose exquisite scent was bewitching but at the same time intimidating me. And however cynical and unscrupulous my cruel fate had been, I could not escape that sense of helplessness and exquisite mourning that had taken root in my heart; while ice-cold tears crept down my face, almost as if to remind me how my misery had become as infinite as the number of stars scattered across the firmament of the dark night. The wind softly whispered painful memories to me just as I had resigned myself to the idea of permanently leaving that place—so deeply hated yet equally yearned for—the labyrinth of sighs and forsaken desires.
Elisabetta Esther -
The Wandering Of The Waves
The wandering of the waves and the sound of sighs echoing softly through the forest of lost dreams, reminded me of the fleeting nature of my state—lost in labyrinths of desire and anguish. I could not tell whether I was dreaming or awake, given that reality for me had come to consist of fantastic visions and peculiar dreams. And it was as if the past had poured into the present—which, however, was aimed at the future—and this chaos of future expectations and vague memories of the past never abated as the nights went by. I was confused and lost, yet I did not lose heart at all; on the contrary, I chose to seek out arcane symbols and enchanted grimoires to discover something about myself, given that I could not remember who or what I was. Scarlet flowers caught my eye while I was utterly exhausted from my search in the void, and their petals brought me comfort during the long winter nights when the sense of grief never left my side. Long and sombre were the moments when bitter memories carved symbols of pain and anguish into my heart, and I stood there frozen, as if the night’s chill had stripped away my ability to react and move forward on my path of deranged restlessness. And dreams turned into nightmares that tore away every desire for delights and bliss. The ocean in the distance seemed like a safe haven for my soul, yet its vast immensity in the darkness of night unsettled me, seeming to transform into an abyss of obliteration. And so it was that I lost my battle against a part of myself that wanted to forget all the bitterness of the memories vehemently trying to suck me into their vortex of deep sadness. The bells of the ancient abandoned cemetery rang a funeral fanfare for all those dreams of mine that had been carried away by the sudden storm that had taken possession of my kingdom of forbidden and impervious dreams. Even the clouds had grown sorrowful and voiced their dissent with an incessant rain that washed away every fragment of hope I had kept in a crystal box. I felt dazed and intoxicated by the chaotic confusion of that pandemonium. In the end, I had lost everything I had guarded with such devotion, and even my name had been erased from the entire realm—as if I had never existed. The wandering of the waves no longer soothed me since the night of the loss of my annihilated dreams, which turned to dust and ashes. Dismay found its perpetual abode in my heart and never left, and I embraced a dismal and bleak fate in an absolute silence.
Elisabetta Esther -
Nightmares And Dreams
Nightmares and dreams invited me into their fairytale world on a dark night where the wails of the wind and the rustling of the leaves swept away by the impetuous wind kept me awake in the darkness of the night. However much I wanted to flee the dark omens of a destiny that had condemned me to an existence of darkness and nightmares, the truth revealed itself to me in the form of ancient manuscripts where I found symbols unknown to me engraved, but which fascinated me and whose meaning I tried so hard to discover. Nightmares and dreams became my faithful companions, spectres and ghosts of the past, anxieties of the future, heaviness of the present. All seemed to form a court of my faithful followers, of whom I was no longer afraid but a part of. Just as dried flowers crumbled upon the ground, mingling with the dry leaves. As I proceeded, I tried to catch sight of a light that could guide me on my uncertain and unstable path, where anguish served as my guide. It seemed that the night had become infinite and that the day had no longer found its role in that realm of magic and gloominess. Nightmares and dreams seemed to follow me wherever I went, and it did not seem at all a tangible reality in which I was living all these contrasting emotions in a swirling chaos that sucked me into the abyss of obliteration. However much I wanted to extricate myself from that labyrinth that held me prisoner and did not let me leave free, alas, what I could only do was retreat into my imaginary refuge where I had built myself a dwelling inhabited by nightmares and dreams, by illusions and perdition, by strangeness and spectres that instilled in me a strange sense of having lost everything that I had possessed. And so it was that I became eternal in my misery, from which I could not flee, like ivy tendrils entwined around me, which did not let me escape from that realm of hallucinations and trepidations, where my heart had been imprisoned in a crystal casket. All my agitation had been in vain. Fate, so dark and cruel, had decreed, by a decree unknown to me, my eternity made of nightmares and dreams.
Elisabetta Esther -
A Dreamy Nighttime
A dreamy nighttime resurfaced in my mind as if I were living in that very moment that didn’t last as long as I wished it would. As usual, my flowing dark gown was agitated by the freezing wind while a large white wolf sat next to a black raven perched on the stone pillar with me. From my high stone balcony, I could gaze at a dragon flying in the distant sky, with an embellished archway overlooking a marvellous landscape of a misty valley, dramatic waterfalls, and a sprawling castle complex connected by stone bridges. That was definitely a dreamy nighttime to remember by the light of a warm candlelight, a glowing lantern, and the unperturbed silver light of the moon. My lovely companions could sense all the bitter grief and electrifying fears hidden in my heart no matter how much I claimed that nothing could disturb me. I often asked them about the meaning of existence and the reason why dreams were dissolved by the cynicism and indifference of humankind. Lost in the labyrinth of my thoughts, I let myself be captivated by the enchantment of that realm of beauty and magic, in the hope that I would distract my heart from the anguish that held it entangled in its thorny tendrils. In truth, I was fleeing from myself and from the darkness of the abyss of nightmares that haunted my fitful slumber. Nonetheless, a dreamy nighttime had the power to transform me into a creature of the silent night, inducing me to live a life of starlight and mysticism. In loneliness, I was no longer, absolutely I felt the protection of the fantastic inhabitants of that kingdom of dreamy nighttime. So bright were the luminaries that I felt finally welcomed and included for the very first time in my peculiar reality filled with oddities and delusions. At last, I was allowed to be made of dreams and nightmares, far away from the conventional impediments of humanity. Far away I fled astray, into the endless darkness, where splendid dreams and lugubrious nightmares merged beneath the silver gaze of the moon.
Elisabetta Esther -
The Spell In The Mirror
The spell in the mirror made me step further back into the dark corners of my dilapidated dwelling, where echoes of my heart’s emptiness reverberated. No matter how much I tried to flee my bitter memories, I could find no refuge in that dwelling that should have protected me; instead, I fled into the unknown of the ancient oak forest—a dark place, yet more reassuring than other places that were too bitter for my heart. The night never left my side as I kept wandering aimlessly without a particular intention or destination. I felt the gelid blizzard surrounding me without hesitation, forcing me to find my haven inside a mysterious cave, where a lantern illuminated my surroundings. Extravagant visions kept me from falling into a deep sleep, like bewitching chimaeras. I could not avoid passing through a magical portal unknown to me and crossing the threshold into a wondrous world that filled me with awe and stupor. It was as if a burning desire overwhelmed my senses and heart, and all my wishes had transformed into magnificent flowers, whose exquisite perfume extended throughout that enchanted realm. The sun appeared in the middle of the night as to greet the stars hiding behind gloomy clouds, and the twilight was altered by the constant sunshine, making the realm glimmer like a treasure chest filled with splendid gems. The spell in the mirror had invited me to a world, which belonged only to me and was invisible to humankind. I was surprised by the peculiar beauty of that realm, hidden behind that magic mirror adorned with enchantments. I suddenly perceived that the surroundings were made of luxury furniture, and I gave a curious glance at a dark ornate desk holding a glass perfume bottle, beautiful roses, the ornate mirror and an armillary sphere, which resembled a model of celestial spheres. A black cat was resting on a stack of books by the window, and gazing out at the skyline, it whispered to me some arcane poetry. Meanwhile, I was admiring a large arched window looking out over a gothic city with spires and towers beneath the gaze of a theatrical sunset and a glowing moon. Certainly, I could not resist looking at some antique books where I did find the story of my life together with all the descriptions of my dreams and my trepidations; just like my predefined fate wanted to let me know that there was no possibility of changing the events that would have happened in the future. My very name was engraved on the richly adorned cover of every volume, which resembled a bewitched grimoire. The feline companion approached me as if I were a dear friend from a past life. An absolute silence descended all over the gloomy gothic chamber and I felt more than ever that I had become just one of the several evanescent chimaeras visiting my own dreams. The spell in the mirror was but a chaotic enigma in the infinite abyss of darkness and dreams.
Elisabetta Esther -
The Magic Foggy Night
The magic foggy night became my night of dreams and fantastical visions. A bright, cloudy full moon stirred delightful emotions in my heart, cherishing a marvellous melancholy and sordid dismay. My attention was astonished by the sight of a stack of weathered antique books illuminated by a flamboyant candle beside a shining brass armillary sphere. The magic foggy night didn’t reveal its secrets, so I tried to talk to an esoteric book with celestial motifs, asking questions about that mysterious wisdom I was not supposed to know. As I proceeded in my questionable quest, I caught sight of a glowing glass lantern, while a solitary black raven perched on the weathered stone balcony railing amid climbing ivy. In solitude, I was resolute enough to disclose every aspect of my bizarre fate, which never failed to surprise me. As long as the magic foggy night made my imagination more unpredictable and hectic, it caused me to lose my ability to be comforted by my slumbering rest. Many doubts crossed my mind uncomfortably as I gasped uneasily whenever I realised that all I was glimpsing was a pristine daydream. It seemed that beauty was an ephemeral manifestation of my evanescent dreams. For too long I let my expectations fall into the abyss of decay, and in vain I waited for an impetuous storm to invite me into another realm. Nevertheless, the blemishes in my heart became engraved truths, which were too harsh to endure as I became more aware of the desolation of my existence. The magic foggy night had made me acquainted with nocturnal creatures and forbidden knowledge at the sight of splendour and magnificence. Alas, so abruptly time had passed, and oblivion claimed all those treasures, which hitherto had been my cherished belongings. Therefore, my flamboyant candle with the shining brass armillary sphere and weathered antique occult books together with the glowing glass lantern faded away into the void of the gloomy night. The solitary black raven flew high up into the sky until it lay beside the glistering stars. All that remained to be seen was the withered ivy and some relics of my whispers of despair. The magic foggy night had been just an illusion; a dream that didn’t accompany me for as long as I wished. The night’s deception was but an evanescence, vanishing into the darkness and leaving behind nothing but the bitter remembrance of a resplendence that had never truly been mine.
Elisabetta Esther -
The Shadows Of Melancholy
Shadows of melancholy perpetually hovered over me like branches of a giant oak tree. No doubt I could have been deceived by my own senses when I discovered that my dreams had vanished promptly from my realm of desires and fears. Even anguish didn’t hesitate to manifest its power over my heart, which was grieving heavenly. Oftentimes I questioned the blank mirrors about my burdensome fate, and all that I could obtain as revelation was an enflamed candle, glimmering like a star in the night sky. Exquisite deep red roses and delicate blue butterflies offered me antique manuscripts as a gift of friendship. The truth was concealed among books and flowers, while the moonlight shone brightly, dazzling me unexpectedly. Perpetual twilight settled over this surreal scene: a majestic stone castle stood on a cliff across a calm lake beneath an immense full moon. As usual, I was staring at the magnificent view from my stone windowsill, where I usually passed my nights among stacked antique books and my beloved hourglass. My ornate mirror reflected the beauty of the surroundings, which seemed increasingly surreal to me. No dismay seemed to attend those moments of leisure while shadows of melancholy constantly cast a shadow over my heart. Nevertheless, the longer I gazed at that splendid landscape the more blurred its reflection became in my mirror. It seemed as though beauty was being enchanted by a magical spell, which was dedicated to eliminating every delight. The tranquil waters of the lake silently swallowed the antique fortress and all the marvellous realm. Undoubtedly, the abysses had taken possession of my realm of blissful dreams, leaving me nothing but some petals of withered roses. All my archaic manuscripts and ancient books disappeared from my sight and in their place there was only dust and fragments of dry leaves. I could feel a gelid breeze surrounding me like an invisible veil and whispering rhymes about the utmost despair, while my wisdom couldn’t perceive any paradox as I became increasingly dazed beneath the shadows of melancholy.
Elisabetta Esther -
In The Realm Of Disintegrated Dreams
In the realm of disintegrated dreams, the night was endless and the darkness ruled over every invisible creature. Several peals of thunder manifested their frenzy in a dance of light and shadow, while I waited for my dreams to become true in the most foolish manner, as if time didn’t belong to me anymore. Therefore, I didn’t realise that my fantasies weren’t within reach, but just echoes in the tumultuous wind like illusory soap bubbles. I had waited for nothing to change because torpor and doldrums were woven into the fabric of my fragile destiny. And so the sun revealed its radiant complexion trying to contrast the tenebrous shine of the moon, which was accompanied by a gathering of glistening stars. Withered roses blossomed in the garden of obliteration alluring the night with their scent of decay and unpredictability. While I searched for bat flowers blooming beneath the silver moonlight, the night granted me obliviousness, and the ravines offered me refuge. No earthborn heart would have been so gracious and compassionate as to provide an award or a reward. Every attempt of mine was left behind a frozen portal, and loneliness put a gloomy castle together exclusively for me to dwell in. Even the most impetuous tempests had more regard for me than humankind, whose only aim was to scatter brambles and thorns wherever I went along my arduous path. In the realm of disintegrated dreams, I found my only consolation in the untamed storms, hollow trees and fantastic creatures of the forest. Nothing else really mattered any longer besides my peculiar world of curiosities. Exhausted as I was, I fell into a deep slumber embraced by nightmares and mysterious incubuses. Stardust burst forth from my shattered dreams, igniting the cosmos with its fiery remnants. The realm of disintegrated dreams had dissolved into the infinite abyss of the universe.
Elisabetta Esther -
Emptiness And Oblivion
Emptiness and oblivion claimed me as if I had lost all my discernment while wandering in the cold night aimlessly. So little was I acquainted with the mysteries of the night, and the more I proceeded, the more I became bewildered, to the point that there was no wisdom in the precious crystals I had found along my route. Every instant I strove to preserve my fragile dreams that the biting and harsh wind longed to take away from me. My attempt to gather the flowers from my secret garden was in vain since that night when my will started to be bent by the spirits of the darkness. Emptiness and oblivion unexpectedly usurped my realm of arcane enigmas and phantasmagorias. Eerie lullabies attempted to enchant me with their cryptic call but no spell could be cast upon me for I was invulnerable to enchantments. No commitments or vows could tarnish my desire for endless emptiness and oblivion. The mirrors in my abode reflected different images of myself each time I stared at them, as if they scrutinised my soul carefully, like mind readers. Underneath antique frocks, a vintage pocket clock sprang like a living creature of the immortal night showing me an hour that was evermore. Small bronze keys peeked out amidst the chaotic jumble of my enchanted manor. Nothing could be the same anymore. All my attempts to use the bronze keys were fruitless, given that I wasn’t able to discover any lock suitable for their size, but in the end, I didn’t care. All of a sudden everything vanished and I was surrounded by emptiness and oblivion, which had obliterated every treasure and possession of mine. Devastation had accomplished its mission properly and darkness suppressed all the light irradiated by the glimmering stars, which were totally concealed by gloomy clouds. I could no longer make out my former path, and in place of my elegant mansion lay heaps of rubble and fragments of my belongings. The supremacy of emptiness and oblivion was unassailable, in fact, they were my cold-hearted rulers. Nothing could have been altered. Even the stars had lost their authority in the firmament, which had now transmuted into the empire of void.
Elisabetta Esther