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Waltz of the Dead

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Written 04/02/2025, for the Iron Maiden " Dance of Death" song, contest sponsored by Robert James L. ****************** Scary lie shrouded in opulence I ponder over well-known verses, shattering the pattern of golden stones. Must I contemplate funeral flowers? Am I allowed to perch on despair, reflecting the stare of a sightless bard? I glimpsed a lone night sail through dim marshlands. One refreshing drink, and I roamed beneath the radiant moon, staring at sparkling constellations, unaware of a celestial being so near. Graceful black flames, I feel the hidden pain disregarding featureless spirits, in harmony spectrally, signaling twilight shades within my shadowed soul. To ascend as a blazing dragon, touched by searing weights, fused and blended with astonishing embers— where I will survey the ruins, captivated by withered orchids. To the rhythm of the deceased, into the inferno’s circle, I pursued them. To the center, I was guided, as if time had frozen. I was paralyzed with dread, yet still, I desired to proceed. The flames did not harm me as I stepped upon the coals. I felt as though I was entranced and my spirit detached from me. If only someone could have witnessed what transpired with me, I danced, I leapt, and I sang alongside them— all had death in their gazes, lifeless forms, they were the undead, returned from the abyss. As I waltzed with the deceased, my liberated soul chuckled and wailed at me from beneath my lifeless form. I twirled in the circle of the deceased until the moment came to reunite us both. My spirit returned to me; I was uncertain if I was living or dead as the others joined me. By chance, a conflict erupted and drew attention away from me. Protect me, beloved, as the dance of death unfolds. I long for the excitement of the tears before dawn. I’m numb, like an insomniac, anxious for passion, embracing the still darkness, extending my heartbeat as a perpetual glow of starlight, In a smooth, silken rhythm? this essence lingers, snuggled by your mysterious heart. Aimless armies surged from the abysses; the undead cackled endlessly, howling harshly at me, beneath my existence, entangled in chaos. Until time ticked for our unity; the spirit emerged, uncertain, alive, or lost. As companions arrived, a skirmish ignited, drawing attention away, skillfully avoiding, escaping unnoticed.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2025




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Date: 4/9/2025 7:55:00 AM
SP, I believe I know the feeling you are describing here. It's good to have all the things we need to consider wrapped up just in case. When we get another shot at the apple, we're indeed lucky and hope that we can act wiser as a result. Smiles, of course!!!
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Date: 4/4/2025 6:55:00 PM
Soto!!! This piece is hauntingly beautiful—a dreamlike descent into darkness and resurrection. Your imagery is vivid and cinematic, blending sorrow, mysticism, and longing with poetic elegance. It reads like a gothic symphony, both chilling and breathtaking in its emotional depth. It's so good!
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Date: 4/3/2025 2:02:00 AM
Wow dear Sotto, Youv rephrased my take so well! Im speechless with how well youv done that, as your words seem to have hit deep! I was contemplating between funeral flowers and funeral roses at first but went with funeral roses! “ Protect me, beloved, as the dance of death unfolds. I long for the excitement of the tears before dawn. ” love that’ as i wrote “ tears before sunrise” but youv somehow made it work with dawn. Its ok you dont have to mention me as an inspiration! Im flattered. Congratulations on your win
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Date: 4/2/2025 8:02:00 PM
Congratulations on your win dear poet. Cheers!!!
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Date: 4/2/2025 4:51:00 PM
Such an amazing write Lasaad with dark undertones a dance with the dark after life experiencing the dark after life surviving and exiting safely. The band Iron Maiden would be proud of you for bringing their lyrics into your perspective of the dance of death which you took us through. A wonderful entry for the contest. Best wishes my friend for the contest. Much effort and thought went into writing this. Thank you for sharing...
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Date: 4/2/2025 4:20:00 PM
‘ In a smooth, silken rhythm’… oh the dance!!! Thanks for writing.
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Date: 4/2/2025 1:14:00 PM
Oh, man, oh, man - your imagination dramatically seeded and bloomed all over this write. A pleasure to read, Sotto. All the best ... CayCay
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Date: 4/2/2025 12:26:00 PM
Why do si do when you can Waltz? I mean, if yer gonna do it do it with style. As far as those cackling dead folks, let them cackle and howl. Their taunts blow in the wind. Nice take on the theme Dr. Sotto
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