Submissions by Dan_ONeill (Dan ONeill)

Taranis chose the fallen night to split the hour that often softens,
Imposing pressure, caressing me, lulling me to feel the call.
Quietly then, he seemed to sigh, soothing me to nurture caution -
‘Those that stand the tallest here, this world will cause to fall’.

Splintered bark, the yawling growl announcing union overlooked,
How slicing struck the scolding grip, splitting, spitting slivered gleams,
Who can trace this instance’ source, now envoy of this stark rebuke,
Or is it invitation only, this sudden thrust to the mouldered dream?

How...

There’s no simple means to cut through,
Little common ground to meet you,
Who could blame me for this situation,
Condemn me for the forced frustration?

I’ll waste my time getting through to you
When there’s more important things to do,
But I’m a knee jerk problem solver
Shall I pull you off or knock you over?

Our spice gets crushed to canteen mash
The message lost in all the rush,
but I just need more than canned sensation.
Let’s serve the truth they fail to mention:

Tricksters challenge yet liars lure,
In...

In this place so caught and cursed by the onset of decline,
In a country marked by loss across her cravings of desire,
Where every ragged step falters lonely on the ledge,
And words from blistered lips recant the wistfulness of fate.

The scars are daily present where the power left the land,
And the lights will only flicker at the shadow of your hand,
Now when winter spreads its rumour there’s no hiding from its claim,
Nor the stifling accusations unconditioned summer brings.

To a fragment of this country where more roamers scratch a...

The namesakes’ flesh to be ripped by hidden claw,
Revealed at the behest of the man on the platform.
Impersonal business, devoid. Edicts not to be compromised.
Who could stay a killer’s hand?
It was not the lion that roamed the land.

Babylon. Salvation. Now an eye is on the eastern shore.
Part of a scheme for the human platform.
Personal business, retribution, every woman and child alive.
He sends intelligence back to the base,
Automate the planned disgrace.

Dreaming. The seeded clouds of the starry north,
Shall host the...

Is this the hill I wish to die on?
Is this the word I should repeat?
I’m still awake to your suggestion,
But some summits are hard to beat.

Can you see this land, be open to the words once spoken aloud?
It’s dark. Look at it.

Just how late it is, is hard to tell,
I’m advancing my retreat,
I’m looking for enchantment here,
In the freedom of the peace.

Walk the shrinking forest, sharing whispers where once there were shouts.  
It’s dark. Look at it.

I’m not the first to stumble here,
Or wake up to the wind,...