†

.

“All these things happen, and the eyes of ordinary men do not see them.”
.
~ Michael Sendivogius (17th Century)

.
.

________________________________________
.
All images copyright © +Seán Manchester, 2009

.

Awakening

.

.

This is not an experience. This is me.

I am awake. ... Finally, I am awake.

.

Sleep

.

.

I must pass on down the way, and on alone. Under the grass

You wait; the breeze moves in the trees, and stirs and calls,

And covers you with white petals, with light petals.

There is shall crumble, frail and fair, under the sun,

O little heart, your brittle heart; till day be done,

And the shadows gather, falling light, and, white with dew,

Whipser, and weep; and creep to you. Good sleep to you!

.

Ghaist

.

.

So now beware, whoe'er you are,

That walkis in this lone wood;

Beware of that deceitful spright,

The ghaist that suckis the blude.

.

Dæmon

.

.

I entered because someone who is weak evoked my name.

He tasted the food of gods and yet my host still feels mad.

I am both demon and man locked in a struggle for control,

Doomed in my pain to write wrong for future generations,

How can my deceptions stop? How can you make me stop?

This is just another torment in a hell of man's own making.

.

Apparition

.

.

The clouded moon's pale yellow light
Is filtered through an approaching mist.
Trees rustle in the evening breeze talk to me
Before you appear, framed in the darkening night;
Wisps of hair dancing like snakes unleashed;
Your curls brightly glowing against the light
Like dying embers of some unearthly fire.
.
As you turn to go my mind silently cries:
"Wait. Wait. Let me look upon you ..."
But the words will not form on my lips.
I try to catch the sleeve of your cerement
But it, like the mist itself, defies my grasp.
I am anchored to the ground as you fade.
You are gone as quickly as you appeared.
.
Where you were is empty of your apparition,
Yet I feel your presence lingering, lingering ...
Chilling my soul!

.

Vampyre

.

.

But first on earth, as Vampyre sent,

Thy corse shall from its tomb be rent;

Then ghastly haunt the native place,

And suck the blood of all thy race;

There from thy daughter, sister, wife,

At midnight drain the stream of life;

Yet loathe the banquet which perforce

Must feed thy livid living corse,

Thy victims, ere they yet expire,

Shall know the demon for their sire;

As cursing thee, thou cursing them,

Thy flowers are withered on the stem.
.