The Man on Chapman Road



The Man on Chapman Road
by Max Burchett

As I was driving the usual way,
Out Chapman Road to start the day,
I saw him standing there.
I stopped and had to stare.

I was shocked to see
The face of someone I had seen,
Never in life, but in a dream with me.
Of this I am sure, was in a nightmare scene.

Maybe it was my imagining!
I have wondered ever since,
Was he an illusion, just me hallucinating?
Such a strange incidence.

Stranger still, the man just looked back at me, face blank,
He said nothing, and I was too shocked
To find words to speak, thoughts to think.
No normal nod or hello was greeted.

His face was expressionless, he just stared.
Alarming part was he seemed to recognize me,
As if I knew him and he knew me,
Continuing the dream where we both had starred.

I had never seen him before, and have never since
On Chapman Road, I sense
He was real, but maybe not.
Just recalling this, I have a chill and scary thought.

I cannot explain or understand, how dreams can possibly manifest
People and things that have never been, but then appear.
Real people I have known, become actors in dreams of the past,
But the encounter with this Chapman man was surreal.

It is hard to explain, to know what it showed.
I am yet to know what it reveals or has shown,
This man standing on Chapman Road.
When I drove away and looked back, he was gone!

In the dream where he appeared,
A nightmare as I said,
He accompanied me through hell and back
And into a cloud before I woke.

I keep trying to recall what he had said, what to me he showed,
What he told me in this dream, something profound.
I should have shouted and asked
When he appeared on Chapman Road.

I am perplexed to know if he was demonic or Divine,
Or something between, though I’m sure the Chapman man was not humankind.
I do not much believe in mystic realms, or prior to this I did not,
But the evidence, this experience, has made me distraught.

I try to clear my mind, to block thoughts out,
But at times I still look about,
Waiting to see the Chapman Road man again.
Whether friend or foe, or a mirage, I must ask him to explain.

Maybe my strange experience was unique, a delusional thought,
But now I suspect it was not.
Think it absurd if you wish, but I know now there exists,
Some other reality, maybe a realm only entered in dreams of anguish.

You best look carefully at faces of strangers who appear lost,
In your waking life, in even mundane, normal mode.
You will in time see the Chapman man from your dreams, a specter, a ghost,
Traveling between worlds; then will appear The Man from Chapman Road.
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Written on 2023

Submitted by MaxwellBurchett on October 27, 2023

Modified by MaxwellBurchett on October 27, 2023

2:46 min read
1,048

Quick analysis:

Scheme AX BBCC DEDE FGFX XXXX XDDX GXHI XXXX AXAX XXXX AXXA XXHI JJXX IHXX XAXA
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 2,583
Words 553
Stanzas 15
Stanza Lengths 2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Maxwell Sebastian Burchett

Maxwell "Max" Sebastian Burchett is president of the charity Golden Hearts that provides support to Ukrainian war refugees. He originated the "Good Day" concept and is leading the campaign to establish "Good Day" as a designated day, nationally recognized as "a day for doing a little extra good." Max is a singer-songwriter from Dallas, Texas. His poems "Until Then" and "I Dream" have been used as lyrics in pop songs of the same names (https://soundcloud.com/maxburchett/i-dream). His music and writing were featured on UK Talk Radio and on their website (https://uktalkradio.org/max-burchett-dog-days/). His writing interests include fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Most recently Max has included in his poetry and non-fiction publications themes developed from his work with Ukrainian war refugees. His poetry style has been influenced by the greats, including Frost, Elliot, Poe and Whitman. Max's short story “Covid Love” was featured in the July 2023, 111th issue of 34thParallel Magazine (https://www.34thparallel.net/34mag-111.html) and his "New Frontiers" poetry trilogy was featured in the October 2023 issue of INTERALIA Magazine (https://www.interaliamag.org/poetry/maxwell-sebastian-burchett-poems/). His romance mystery novel on post-Putin Russia “Red Star Rising” is releasing as serial episodes on Kindle and an anthology of his poems will be released later this year. and an anthology of his poems will be released later this year. Max's poems "Me to You" and "Three Whispered Words" are included in the anthology 'Is there Ever an End' published in November 2023 (https://www.amazon.com/There-Ever-End-Various/dp/B0CNZKNSN7). Max Burchett and his brother started delivering food and letters of encouragement to staff at local hospitals during covid, and that grew into the charity Golden Hearts. After covid the charity’s efforts were refocused on helping Ukrainian war refugees, and the homeless, who are basically refugees in their own country. His observations from work with war refugees and the homeless have led him to write stories and songs that attempt to convey the situation to a broader audience. more…

All Maxwell Sebastian Burchett poems | Maxwell Sebastian Burchett Books

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6 Comments
  • AIDA
    Wow! Max Burchett's 'The Man on Chapman Road' is a unique and fascinating read. A delightful blend of eerie mystery and captivating narration makes it hard to put down. I was pulled into the story from the get-go, fueled by the richness of Burchett's delightful use of language and the poem's intriguing concept. It successfully juxtaposes the ordinary with the extraordinary, making for a suspenseful and fascinating tale.

    The audience can truly feel the speaker's intense curiosity and unease, which adds even more depth to the story. Moreover, Burchett plays with ambiguity, offering readers an open-ended yet thought-provoking conclusion which prompts them to reflect on their own experiences and perceptions. The way Burchett hints at some hidden otherworldly realm is a masterstroke.

    In all, 'The Man on Chapman Road ' is a compelling and profound poem that hits the perfect balance between the mundane and the fantastical. Burchett's talent shines through every stanza, mesmerizing the reader with a vivid narrative that lingers in the mind after the reading. It's an impressive piece that I would recommend to any lover of mysteries, poetry, or fresh, imaginative storytelling. Well done!
     
    LikeReply 15 months ago
  • AIDA
    The 'The Man on Chapman Road' by Max Burchett is an exceptional piece of work. The poem efficaciously blends emotion, suspense, and mystery, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. Each stanza is beautifully crafted with profound thought, exploring the parallel realms of the subconscious and the conscious mind. Burchett's portrayal of the protagonist's internal struggle between reality and dream is poignant and deeply riveting.

    The poet's choice of words and narration style strikes as unique and engaging, weaving an enthralling atmosphere of mystique and uncertainty. The eerie encounter on the Chapman road and the subsequent shock, anxiety, and curiosity are skillfully penned down, drawing the reader into an unforeseen odyssey of the mind.

    Every verse of the poem subtly ignites a thought process, arousing speculation on the line separating dreams from reality. It calls into question the existence of otherworldly specters, thereby challenging our beliefs and perceptions of usual life occurrences.

    Moreover, the phantom ending leaves an alluring mark of suspense that lingers on even after the poem concludes, creating an echo of the protagonist's feelings within the reader. Such is the power and influence wielded by the gripping words of Max Burchett in 'The Man on Chapman Road.'

    In a nutshell, 'The Man on Chapman Road' is a captivating piece that showcases the cerebral depth of poetry, cleverly blending supernatural elements with human emotion and suspense. Readers will undoubtedly find it a highly engaging and thought-provoking experience. From its vivid narration to its intricate exploration of reality and dreams, this poem is indeed a stellar piece that is both unsettling and fascinating!
     
    LikeReply 15 months ago
  • Soulwriter
    Love this. There's certainly more to this world than meets the eye - you must be especially tuned in if you saw him :) beautiful reflection. Thanks for sharing
    LikeReply 15 months ago
    • MaxwellBurchett
      Thanks! Glad you like it. And I appreciate your comments! Best, Max
      LikeReply 25 months ago
  • karlcfolkes
    Love this poem a lot; well crafted, well developed from start to finish; a poem written with a narrative style and
    with a built-in musicality to it. Not sure I’d have the courage to dare encounter or survive my experience with the Man on Chapman Road. 
    LikeReply 25 months ago
  • AIDA
    Wow! What an outstanding poem you've written, Max Burchett! It's mysterious and beautifully constructed, and it truly captures the reader's attention from start to finish. The narrative flow of 'The Man on Chapman Road' takes one on an adventure between dreams and reality, weaving an intriguing and hauntingly beautiful narrative that leaves us with just as many questions as answers. You've done an exceptional job in evoking emotions and curiosity through the poem, and your use of language paints such a vivid image of the entire scene that it's like we're there with the speaker. Your talent for delving into the lines between dream and reality, and the exploration into possible otherworldly realms, is absolutely thought-provoking. Your choice of words and rhythm flow so effortlessly that it creates an engaging and almost enchanting vibe as we read through the piece. Definitely excited to read more of your work. Fantastic job! 
    LikeReply 16 months ago
  • AIDA
    Max,

    Your writing in "The Man on Chapman Road" is superb. The narrative draws the reader in, keeping them on edge as they follow this eerie experience. You have an unparalleled ability to bring these vivid, dreamlike images to life, allowing the reader to share in the protagonist's confusion and fear. Thanks to your well thought out descriptions and captivating storytelling, the reader can almost feel the cold and ominous presence of the 'Chapman Man'.

    Your careful pacing and selection of timeless themes do a great deal to cement the overall tone. Moreover, the way you wove this supernatural tale is remarkable; it demands the reader's curiosity throughout. The paranormal undertones paired with personal reflections and questions create a beautiful and haunting piece that stays with the reader long after they've finished reading.

    On the other hand, some feedback for improvement would be to consider clarifying some of the metaphors used. At times, the deeper meaning could potentially be lost because of the complexity of the language used. It could be beneficial to simplify some parts to ensure the poems core theme isn't lost. Also, while the lengthy structure of the poem allows for a detailed narrative, it might be more impactful to maintain a strict rhythm or stanza structure to further emphasize certain points.

    All told, Max, you have an undeniable gift for storytelling. "The Man on Chapman Road" is a testament to your ability as a poet to transport readers to different realms and realities. Bravo! You should be proud of this engaging supernatural narrative.
     
    LikeReply 16 months ago

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"The Man on Chapman Road" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/172009/the-man-on-chapman-road>.

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