I am walking toward the shade of death, soon I will run
to escape the heat of day and get out of the sun
At my back moon's deception, in front sunset's dying beam
Behind a silver reflection, ahead a dissolving dream
Shadows merge into arms of night, soft blackness my bed
Glowing embers in starlight remnants of a fire long dead
Sweeping ashes from my soles, on my shoulder sits a crow
My draft fans the coals, behind a phoenix's burning glow
Rise thou bird of hope, fly as Icarus to the sun
Suspension in a hanged man's rope, where the death card has already won
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Author:
sorenbarrett (
Offline) - Published: June 20th, 2026 03:09
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 99
- Users favorite of this poem: nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson), arqios, Carlos Alberto BUSTILLOS, Friendship, Tristan Robert Lange, Soman Ragavan, Teddy.15, Syd, Joseph M Marion, GenXer Sharon 🙏🍀
- In collections: Death.
Offline)
Comments16
A wonderful work, reflecting both aspiration, deeply pronounced, and desperate feelings.. .A fave, my friend
Thanks so much Cellinic for the read and kind words of support and encouragement they are most valued and appreciated
a definite fav, great write
Thanks so much Norman
you are most welcome
A thematic triumph, friend🙏🏻🕊️
Thanks so much Cryptic for the review and kind words of support they are most appreciated
Most welcome, Soren🙏🏻🕊️
A powerful poem indeed. The concepts of life and death are perhaps too profound to fully grasp so early in the morning. This poem revolves around the juxtaposition of life and death, exploring themes of despair, hope, and the inevitability of mortality. The imagery you painted of darkness, shadows, and the crow symbolizes death and the unknown. At the same time, the references to the phoenix and Icarus introduce themes of rebirth and the struggle against fate. Yet at the same time, your poem may serve to explore the universal human experience of grappling with mortality, seeking understanding and meaning in the face of inevitable death, and finding hope through symbolism and mythological references
Thank you so much my friend for the review and deep dive in interpretation. All of this is most appreciated and valued.
Soren, what I enjoyed most is how the poem keeps balancing opposing forces...death and rebirth, darkness and light, resignation and hope. The crow, the phoenix, the dying fire, and the rising bird all work together to create a journey that feels both mythic and deeply personal. Wonderful write, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦⬛
Thank you Tristan so glad that you picked up on the balance. Life is inevitable we have no choice not asking to be here and death is as well no one escapes alive. Likewise the balance is inevitable. Your words are always most appreciated
Exquisite poetry my dear sorrenbarret you my friend are a poetry star✨
You are too kind my friend your support and encouragement are most appreciated
Good write SB, as I was about to say - I was cut orf at first! lol.
Thank you Orchi I appreciate the read and comment. Who cut you off KP?
Yes, she put a blip in it. lol.
Wow! Quite bleak but beautifully done. Very well written indeed Sorenbarret.
Take care - Syd
Thank you so much Syd I appreciate your review and comment it is most important to me
What I like best about your poem is its directionality of time. The repeated references to direction symbolize different stages of existence.
Thank you so much for the read and comment it is deeply appreciated
You are welcome.
Seems like the Passage from life into death.
👍
Thank you so much Kevin for the revies and interpretation and indeed it could. Your words are most appreciated my friend.
You built a whole night in 12 lines and it feels alive. You carried death and rebirth at the same time. Ending hits hard because you let Icarus fly and fall in 2 lines. Really amazing!
You are most kind Salvia I am sorry for the delay in response somehow I overlooked it. That does not mean it is not appreciated and highly valued my friend
vivid and emotionally charged: “heart of flame,” “hand of smoke,” “storm,” “tide,” “lightning,” and “shade” all suggest things that are powerful, beautiful, but impossible to grasp.
Very good I love this You're very good writer enjoy reading what you write thank you for allowing me to my
Thank you so much for the read and comment my friend I apologize for the delay in responding somehow I have overlooked three responses on this poem. Your comment is deeply valued
vivid and emotionally charged: “heart of flame,” “hand of smoke,” “storm,” “tide,” “lightning,” and “shade” all suggest things that are powerful, beautiful, but impossible to grasp.
That death card may be there soren but it is a very long way aways at the moment.
Andy
I apologize for the delay in responding Andy I have somehow overlooked a few responses on this poem. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and support
Never fly too close to the sun. Very nice I enjoyed it very much. Thank you for sharing.
So sorry for the delay in response I overlooked some responses on this poem. Your comment is deeply valued and appreciated
I can’t express it enough!!! I just love your work!
You are most kind my friend and it is deeply appreciated
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