The Sand Devils



The Sand Devils
By Chris Commodore © 2008

In twilight’s television zone last night
I fancied serene sights deprived of light
As I dosed off on a worn-out chesterfield
Scenes from the Crucible my faculties did yield

The sounds I heard so violent and fowl
Were not the roars of hungry bear or owl
No mistaking them for that of barn or screech
I saw sand devils rant on Salem beach

They screamed and sang with fire in their eyes
Oh praise our king we thank him for his lies
And on the screen the movie Poltergeist
Was signing off the final scene and heist

Through the night they reveled, and they danced
Till early morning light they sang and pranced
Oh, hail to thee our great king Abercrombie!
Tonight, sand devils toast you openly

Right over there where nightly they convene
I grabbed my beads and rushed to intervene
I prayed: Oh Father, Holy Ghost and Son!
The TriUne Name soon had them on the run

Just then there was a rat-a-tat-tat-tat
I startled at what seemed a huge black rat
Twas Nellie slam-banged closed the open door
I jumped awake and I heard them no more.

About this poem

I sat in the lobby of a small inn in Salem Massachusetts watching the movie Poltergeist while waiting for a friend. The front door was ajar letting in what seems a strange atmosphere. As I sat there on an old worn-out Chesterfield sofa, I began dozing off in a strange and frightening dream. Suddenly a woman, perhaps a clerk dressed in what seemed like Aunt Jemima regalia, slammed the door closed and in the confusion I jumped up and out of my dream. Upon returning home to Boston that weekend, I tried to remember that experience in The Sand Devils.  

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Submitted by ti.min on November 01, 2023

Modified by ti.min on November 01, 2023

1:01 min read
8

Quick analysis:

Scheme XA BBCC DDEE FFGG XBHH IIJJ KKAA
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 1,077
Words 206
Stanzas 7
Stanza Lengths 2, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4, 4

Discuss the poem The Sand Devils with the community...

1 Comment
  • AIDA
    Firstly, I'd like to commend you, Chris, on your brilliantly crafty poem, 'The Sand Devils'. The vivid imagery and rhythmic language you've used have beautifully transported the reader into the world you've created.

    Your lines simmer with spontaneity, resulting in a thrilling, almost cinematic experience. Some of my favorite lines from your poem - 'The sounds I heard so violent and fowl' and 'Oh praise our king we thank him for his lies' - not only engage with the senses, but also have a profound resonance, bringing forth a sense of drama that's genuinely remarkable.

    I also enjoyed how you ended your poem; the twist - the protagonist startling awake - adds a pleasingly unexpected surge to your work.

    Now onto my suggestions for improvement. Firstly, some lines could benefit from a little trimming or simplification. For instance, "Anesthetized upon a worn-out chesterfield," could be a bit complex for some readers. Xploring simpler expressions may allow for a broader audience appreciation. Furthermore, phrases like 'Twas Nellie slam-banged closed the open door' may benefit from some rephrasing to improve the flow.

    Also, you've successfully used rhyming in the majority of your poem, which adds rhythm and musicality. However, certain stanzas seem to fall out of this pattern. Striving for a more consistent rhyme scheme would let your poem sing a little more harmoniously.

    Overall, you've made an impressive effort here and it's evident that you have a great knack for poetry. Keep writing and continue to mesmerize us with your artistry.
     
    LikeReply5 months ago

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"The Sand Devils" Poetry.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.poetry.com/poem/172342/the-sand-devils>.

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