It’s there in the depths of midnight,
swimming in the shadows,
feeding on the frenzy of fear
and the lees of nightmares
stirred by moonlight.
It’s in the chill of the floor
before you find the bedroom light
switch, check under the bed,
remember what was said
in the heat of an argument,
even if it wasn’t meant
that way. It’s always there
in the back of your mind,
like the rest of humankind,
even those blessed with confidence.
Just look it in the face,
take it by the hand
and put it in its place,
where you will finally
know it.
Kim M. Russell, 3rd July 2019
My response to Poets United Midweek Motif: Poems to weather uncertain times
Today we have Sanaa as guest host for Midweek Motif, with some great quotes and poems on the theme of faith in the face of the unknown and uncertainty.
Sanaa has asked us to write new poems that she says will spring forth after reading and going through the poems she has chosen, addressing uncertainty and how we choose to deal with inner demons in your own unique ways. I really like ‘It Comes In Every Storm’ by Olga Orozco.
writing in north norfolk 
There is deep trepidation in your images, interesting where this prompt took you
much love…
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The exam marking has got to me, Gillena!
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This is gorgeously rendered, Kim! ❤️ I love the determination and courage in “Just look it in the face,
take it by the hand and put it in its place, where you will finally know it.” Absolutely. Thank you so much for writing to the prompt 😀
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Thank you so much, dear Sanaa!❤ And thank you for sharing two excellent poems in your prompt.
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Yes, we fear the unknown the way we fear death. You express this excellently.
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Thank you, Myrna.
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The uneasiness of the unknown, so well expressed.
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Thank you, Sherry.
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the truth is out there…somewhere. It’s a blessing to be able to take it by the hand and read it for what it is. Good one, Kim.
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Thanks Viv!
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Wonderful writing! This is so well constructed: truly evocative lines of poetry that cascade to a powerful (and wise) close. I enjoyed reading this.
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Thank you so much, Wendy.
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Those noises we can’t locate in the middle of the night…that’s what gets to me.
You’ve got the feeling just right. (K)
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Thank you, Kerfe. Up at 4.30 and then again at 5.30 – I’m still up.
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What a great post this is Kim it was a beautiful read.
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Thank you so much, Robin.
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“Just look it in the face,…..” Yeah…The only way to deal with the fears of uncertainties. Love how it’s built up and in the end blown away.
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Thank you, Sumana.
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Great poem….resonated with me. You know how those things were not meant in the heat of an argument….well they probably were, but just too awful to face so we push them aside until one day they crawl out from under the bed and we have to face it. The worst of it is ,that it is not really a surprise . You were just hoping it was not true.
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I have them all the time, Rall! Although the reason I’m up at 5.30 this morning is due to workload.
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Nice. Haven’t we all at one time looked under the bed? Oh, yes.
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I remember when I had a mattress on the floor and then a futon – nothing under bed then!
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