Silhouette Poem with commentary

A reading of the poem Silhouette from Inspire Me: Perception and a commentary of the true story behind the traumatic poem.

Silhouette

A dark shadow appears­–soul shakes, the body suspends.  A story of an altered spirit who’ll manifest soon in the deepest of night. Shadow essence two-week visit encompasses my thoughts and sleep. If present, she’ll be safe.  Who do you speak of spirit? A man’s silhouette in the early morning as the streetlights gleam upon glistening muscle tone. The sun peeks as my roommate dreams, unconscious of his gaze. In the darkness, a gun rises in his hand, aims at roommate’s head.  Silence takes over as the smoke aura scars her fate.  Dream propels my slumber and go to her room, “If I’m present, she’ll be safe”, repeats.  Sunlight dances on my face as the night’s story whispers away.  She awakens, “Had that dream again, didn’t you?” Yes. Three full moons calendar the sky.  Gotham called for her home, she’s safe.  Chitown childhood friends summer evening visit—Sunset Strip. Summer heat, sleep half nude as evening completes at midnight. Vocal and joyful friends jest of a man at the window where the drapes bellow. Amusement drains the night as the muscles gleaming silhouette appears.  She runs into my bedroom, gun points at third eye—forced out of comfort into the lifeless living room.  Essence extends my body as I guard the front door. “Think you’re going somewhere? He shouts.  Gun points to sit by piano. The silent melody piano bench where I abide.  “On the floor” he casts me as he bares my skin from sheet.  Little sister weeps and window slams, fearing discovery of his carnal acts. Guilt survival mission defuses the present. Escaping—leap two steps—first landing. Leap again, gun at head. Blinding movie screen of my life flashes steals my sight. Land on corner of step and propelled onto the ground. “Not dying, not tonight!” Street or parking lot?  A straight shot I will not be as I hide besides cars until I can jump concrete fence–divides the building.  Footsteps dissipate. The blood curling screams echo in the distance. Climb many staircases and a man stands with two dogs. “Please call the police.” I beg. “I think my friend’s dead.”  His girlfriend’s pink robe drapes a childhood fear.  We hide. Police state, “stay inside”.  Helicopters beaming lights, treble sirens and watchful dogs ease chaotic street.  An hour and a half, a knock. Police state: “He escaped—assaults another woman and stole her car”.  Friends approach in a cloud of disbelief sobbing. They heard my fall, calling–no answer and saw my death in his hands. Police, he’ll return. Neighbor held us safe, and we slept on her floor. My scarred friends left the next day. Never went back, he never paid. Warning of silhouette but I didn’t understand. Premonition and it’s real impact.  Checking doors and windows for a year but I know I saved my friends because—I was there.

 

 

A String Of Hope by Mikael Hellman

Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/7077-a-string-of-hope

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license