the house shines bright, it takes every light
sleep refuses to dream, a reverie extreme
the plan to outsmart, a shot in the dark
trigger for a steel mention, the spelling of my name
directed to a lead core, dead center to each letter
primed for flight, a jacket of lead dares our right
a ripping force of violent heat, to rupture complete  
rendered lethal for the take down, a fatal round
chambered by a ******, posted at heaven’s door

Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

I can not give away this Image
engraved in my vision
as I stood
beside giants while hidden

mighty titans
the picture
the trees that hid me
in the shadows
like a villain

thrown together in the moment
I looked high
into the sky
had to cover my eyes
  extend my hand for an introduction

my gesture sat unmoved,
unworthy
the trees remain solemn

absurd, how troubling it would be
if a Tree answered me
as a friend
to attend a function

crazy as it seems
the perfect witness is a tree
to keep a secret
an alliance unspoken


A maze of roots
tangled the soil
twisting,
turning,
almost impossible to follow
to my feet
to a connection  

in the privacy of the trees
I saw you first
you were carving
the heart of another

a betrayed tree
wore the scarred heart  
amber in color
like old blood no longer red

I found you there
like all the tears
that do not fall
instead I am drowning in my head

the knife
came from your pocket
  you were kissing me
taking me to a place unexpected

With precision our letters
appeared in the center
of the tree,
of the heart,
of the past

pride, walked me along the path
to the trees,
to the heart,
to you,
to the sharpest of knives
I keep in your chest

time has slipped away
no forward,
no back,
no simply,
left me in trespass

my titan trees
did not protest
the screams
the blood
that still run
along the roots
twisting the turns
from you to me at last


Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

a shot in the dark
a flash in the sky
the sound of thunder gives its reply
mother nature, instills no fear here
the enemy, and sorted beasts appear
slinking, stalking, moving precise and near
    we lay our heads in a monster’s care
    holding close to Michael’s prayer
the stars emphasize sincere
a twinkle and the constant shimmer
we embark in the fall of silent wonder  
beneath the surface of our dreams
back and forth
the luster of softness begins to weave
a song of hope and a day of peace
the guiding vision, life’s reminisce
inspires the bright, in a lunar rise
together we aspire, to fly starry skies
  embracing a light to shine
   the glow of a wish rendered divine


Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

the lonely plight  
of a dissident man

a single lucent light fueled in the night
so flows pontification and foresight

the crowd it incites
a mass devoted to their leaders spite

the light of one
the spark of another

forming the glow
of a stagnant umbra

this path of no resistance
is the wicked path at our insistence

it Juggles through the past
navigates the lost

untwists the fray
it is the sound that will not settle

a growl of medal
a clink and a rattle

the sound of chain
that engraves a pain

the gun on your temple with a pulled trigger
rush of blood in you ears, fear simple fear

a stab with a twist of knifed redemption
the next stick leads to your suffocation

now you understand how easily we shatter
our disappearance so final a matter

gods spell is knocking
loyal, dead and forgiving

the answer is a doorbell
unfeigned by heaven or hell

we abide times insight
waiting for a green light

a moment of enchantment
one final choice to exit

the one last chance
destined for happenstance  

as the rattlesnake stance
warns and demands  

ruling their charmer
into an alliance

the masses expand
for the malice at hand

arousing a jump in the fire
as the mob grows ******

alarming numbers
fall in shoulder to shoulder

follow the flock
a parade in sync

the fall of one
the march of another

until we no longer struggle


Terry D’ArcyRyan

obsolete 
folded neat    
worn pale pink 
the remnants of you

a lasting chance 
the heartfelt glance
evanescense
unravels a ribbon

my baby girl 
her little dress  
rest 
upon my chest 

tiny arms stretching
reaching 
for me  
the promise of light     




Terry D'Arcy-Ryan

eyes meet, the intimate adore
face to face, lips gently brush
desire delivered in the click of a lock
hands clutched around your neck
the shock, the tightening hold
a gripping strength, a slow squeeze
the mind dazed, the hunt to breathe
hardwired impulse, the raw surging force
reaching, touching, clawing a hands grip
the steadfast capture, enforcing an iron reap
the heat and hiss of a monster, slices in your ear
tears fall for God’s wretched care
dry upon your cheek, the final kiss
the silent suffocation, an impression so sincere

pain defends the will to see and breathe clear
aware adorns the eyes, in pictures of reminisce
the danger of your kiss, the pace in your violent embrace
the power of your stare, hands fast on my neck
viselike is the hold, so I can feel reborn
to stand on the furthest edge
and trespass into the abyss

planted deep, thriving sweet
growing, entangled in a reach
extending into many more
beneath a shallow surface
there is no abyss, I am the abyss
the abyss resides inside me
waiting in the dark, flourishing  

Terry D'Arcy-Ryan

a single moment stays
another builds a solid maze
every tick of the clock displays
rising iron walls with slates to gaze
the tick of a tock is the groove to insane
caught on a string, can’t swing away
twisting in the turning fate
the push of a hand
tips the flow of sand
the other hand pulls the weight
forever sharpening the keys
iron mask or the height of a crown
darkness moves on frightening ground
a shared space in the wait
etching forever the sound it makes
a scrap and rattle in a tick for a tock
make doors for walls complete with locks
held open no more, all eyes to the floor
faces keep pace for the evermore
the minds design linked by a chain
a constant companion remains
ticking a song and hammering sublime
safe in a pocket of time


Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

running with the wild things
racing ahead of shadows
claims from the sunshine
speckle lightly on the face

faster than her own feet
tripping a surface courageous
arm's length from disaster
always tugging at loose strings

nature’s constant movement
receives the fearless, little outlaw
landing soft at the top of a hill
intently picking flowers

chosen and counted
maintaining links for a chain
plucking only yellows and white
colors that shine in the night

skipping petals drowned scarlet red
blood from a heart broken
better off dead
I collided with the words
spoken as a child

all around her flowers bloom
this heart so strong in rebel spirit  
love will never stay long or abide
in a thing so wild

humbled forever by the moment
blinded by her crown
silenced with the presence
treasures hidden and found

Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

shuffling feet recede with the sinking heat
shadow chanters possess the street
sidewalk dancers work their song
the mind a clenched fist
pounding a one beat drum
a hustle in lunacy
chasing crank and doom

sound surrounds a fool
that is what you hear
the constant humm lost in the ear
exhales as a kindle, leads a rumble
the bellow of a beast howling thunder
the sound so pleasing
crawls under the skin
begins to breath
becomes the wind

jacked up
spread thin
spinning shards of speed
believing all the joy in greed
sabotage of self redeem
a play to crash and fiend
infringes the sound of terror
louder than an ocean roars
misery always begs more

hand on a knife
steady work in a glisten
fury breathes bending twisted
thrashing fragile decline
slashing sublime
carving within the lines
seeking a hollow spine
nothing seen to intervene

struck hard to a mad core
falling through every door
landing in the sleep of dreams
face in a pillow
held to the floor
nothing left to bargain
suffocation frees a demon
leaves a human being


Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

death drives the dark
fearless is site unseen
seeks a wicked threshold
catching sleep in between
lost dreams and vague debris
the momentum of obscurity
to the snap of fingers
an instant flicker
turns the head
movement jumps to flee
catching the outline distinct
against headlight beams
the moving silhouette
hanging from trees
the swing of grief
soon to seed
the tears of misery bleeds
sharp stabs seeking green
a means plunging deep
urging a pulse to beat
so goes the steady stream
growing tree to tree
a sea of branches
rises high to see
beyond the leafs

air bends against my body
touching willows in the wind
the stream curves below
drifting above then pulls back again
constant movement a weave to a thread
shades of white and grey expand
faces inside are tempted and hide
divine right shines the sense bright
dark sky chanters herald in melodic design

human limitations sleep quietly
perched inside
exposed by an unkind light
waking truth and departure from flight
joined with fallen others lost in descent
our plea a mere bellow in the darkest midnight
a vision of disappearing sights
leaving alone the moon to it's glow
fallen others before us behold
lighting a land of green with gold

countless stars dismount and bend in honor
stardust falls like snow lighting the road
this noble salute from heaven emulates for evil or good
mesmerized is holding flight as a mystery told
pulling undone this true right of second nature
it is the prize deep inside or a map to a treasure
falling further to find
a world stacked sky high in decline
the dark executioner waiting times unwind
complete with sweets from a demon queen
ruler of vengeance and anger
mere weapons for hire
aimed to rob the earth of color

we fall whispers of a feather seeking prayer
reaching for the key to grace's door
blinded by tales of heavenly desire
and our tricky devil living under the floor


Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

caught in the struggle to shine bright
upon the barred ledge
glass slats between the eyes of an iron mask
cut the shapes for new streams of light
twilight unites
these constant rivals in luminescence


surviving the mystery inside stillness
hypocrisies silhouette creating the ties that confine
inseparable unseen companion
the keeper of time
introduces in a constant whisper
a plea for rage to hinder and blind
the simplest answer casts across dark severed lines


shadows take a bow, urging a curtain call
dark dominates over a phantoms trail
dragging the images of reminisce
hope tumbles and stumbles  
the resemblance of leaves in descent
tossing with the winds erie kiss
ever adrift in the never of nothing at all


moonlights soft glow
roam a cemented showcase of slivers
thinly threaded beams of silk aspire
motion’s constant weave and web
turning a glimpse into a chain of clarity
crawling beneath an imposing despair
resisting the trade of insight for obscurity


I own this place hidden from shine
perched beside shadows design
inspired by a flicker to dodge and climb
beholding to the feel within a promise
steadily reaching for the light inside
to clear this barred ledge

Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

we are chosen
the softest revelation
a whisper in the ear
my guide
resides inside the stars
every fallen one a trail of wonder
we are blinded by our choices
good and evil are a delusion
the fires burn bright on both sides
nobles bend to humble the saved
the willing serve a master
and feed the flames
until a whisper is no more
breathless is the audible silence
a still calm plays madness divine
direction is the next tossed coin
the answer empties
as water flows
through clasped hands
no whispers faint
no star fallen trail
no sunshine at midnight clear
the rear-view mirror
loaded  for retrospect
  dark wings of my brothers
a shadow cast across my face
as the fate I cannot escape


Terry Darcy-Ryan

a single drop
escapes and shapes
the one reforms into the many
forces merge and maintain the center
as an ocean to a clear running stream
effortless delicate movements
the beautiful semblance of creation
only free when infinity extends an open hand
we gracefully bend submitting to the wind
ever escalating the highest life and limb
gales roll in and away
drifting wide and floating astray
iridescence is indescribable yet defines
the sky as she decides a color
her choice always a brilliant contrasting horizon
grandiloquent patterns push to lavish design
extending to no less than the highest point
contours of jewels and soft silky edges
expand in the flourishing demand
moving on in an elaborate showdown
illumination has changed direction
mist is abundantly clear
looting and diverting a moon’s glow
enhancing the sky’s light with spectrum’s of sight
diamonds in the sky
these silhouettes fall into a slow embrace
obscurity celebrates movement
with this final chance in a dance
abstract is an overachiever here
endlessly molding a new shape
a familiar sight replaces the mirage
swarming the moonlight to be still
to see the secret inside a shimmer
the very heart of all things  
where a reminiscent choral sound
rhapsodies pure aesthetic
calls you to a sublime slumber
magnificent claims this place of illusion
a majestic showing of dreams and nightmares
more is all we need
patiently we await the kiss from bliss
her touch behind the eyes
opens up the skies
for an Ethereality


Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

a mindful watch

lounges immanence

simple measure

across the diamond sky

stars fall

remarkable moves

visible light

blinding silent

narration is the shimmer

impressions exhibit

touch battered and savage




Terry D'Arcy-Ryan

turning inside a cage
despair barters hope to seethe
wraith's beating fists heavy beneath
vicious growls a threat of means
the ominous promise to break free
baleful sounds from your fiend
inspire violent screams
jaded eyes weep for time to see
depravity’s push to crawl and seek
momentum winding tight to a need
sparks fly for rage to breath
a lust to hunt crouches discreet
the hunger for fury no longer sleeps
despair barters hope to seethe
turning inside a cage


Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

the sun plays with darkness
stabbing and jabbing in departure
black unwinds, stretching, encompassing, a creeping abyss
stillness has one hand on the wheel
the dark is glassy
the water's reflection is clear
striking shallow sweet a place of phantoms

man kneels in grace
he is hammer for the god's of war
creating his place with a hum and rattle
time is man's finest driven rival
a flash in the sky
we fall and fly
lost inside our own battle cry

hammer on metal produces this metallic sound
agony’s pleasure just beyond
again and over the echo resounds
calls us home while blinding us profound
a cue recurs flowing slow
passes over our ears
the clear place to set a crown

quicker than quick we are controlled
a finger on the trigger
Chosen for one but all ages can be a player
the rules have come undone
to beat a new order
a train jumps the tracks
a chain snaps back releasing a bullet named terror

this bedlam competes with the sound of conflict
in a place found just past bliss's hitch
tattooed with metals ink
engraved skin feels pains true kiss

thunder is envious of lightnings perfect hit
hammer on metal
as the gods crack their whip


Sheer Terror

aka Terry D'Arcy-Ryan

the perfect winter day
the house is warm, the fireplace a blaze
dinner simmering on the stove
a meal that will warm to the bone
my homemade Irish stew is perfect
for cold winter days and poisoning
you never finished the first bowl
that's when it hit you hard
my combines, the realization
that I disguised your demise
in a bowl of Irish stew
in the first stages you were surprised
not understanding what this is about
why I would **** you
I sat calmly watching you suffer
it is only fair at this point
waiting for the man I knew
you began to demand that I help you
to stop it, to fix it, to take it all away
and then the monster entered
reaching, sweeping and grabbing for me
you were getting slow and sloppy
I was prepared for this moment
you are done dealing out pain
we are down to seconds
you were doubled over in anguish
tears real tears to seal the deal
and now you are dead  
I like you better this way
back to the perfect winter day
there is always such a mess
with home cooking  


Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

I know love
it is never that sure of a ring
forever sparkles just underneath
leftover remnants for the winds bending
a battered laundry list
tired wishes flow oh so effortlessly
leaving the believe to the lie
deep Inside every happy ending
boldly aiming over the rainbow
for any galaxy far, far away
looking wide for a recognized set place
daydreams cranked straight through the easy bake
hit and missed the upcoming inception
striking a blindfolded target
disarmed in a charming
play by play

I know love
the endeavored sweet
rinse and repeat, to what end
write on the box happily ever after “not included”
the colors of the rainbow
the brightest star from afar
blinded in their own beauty
a shine almost gold for the rival
emptied trophies still heavy in truth
guarding first base
instead of making cherry cake
another day plays it closer to safe
everything is a new surrender

I know love
it wraps me in need of grace
it watches with eyes, that are mine
it reaches places I can never climb
it is the tiny hands
the sea of branches stretched to me, the sun
gripping these palms to no means
always holding tight that ticket
to alive


Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

as a current flows
erosion breaks and bows
the current compass bound
coursing the coastal crown
at last it spills into a restless sea
water divides and moves the shore
with channels quick to bank and restore
the simple watercourse repeats
as the world is shaped
a river to a stream

beneath the raging surface
embedded in depths wakeless
the soft mud ensures
the tall grass grows verdant
extending above into the torrent
we hold onto leaves flowing in the entwine
a habitat dwells in this open current
all existence of my kind
populate the shoreline
maintaining the confines
since the river's inception
sustaining a water raging habitation

the very moment we can grasp a willow
the burden is upon us to never let go
the waterways rush high and low
a constant frame works the undertow
whispers travel to tell forbidden tales
fables of impetuous spirits and rebels
the adventurous who climb to the surface
then lost to the evils of a land too vast
the bravest attempt to swim as an outcast
pulled down to be eaten sweet by waters deep

despite the tales
a voice inside implores “let go”
the result either way is a life sentence
to an endlessness into the nothingness
I will be just another fib for the storytellers
every moment to a free chance
will be worth death ‘s acquaintance
the waters deafening roar
the voice demanding freedom’s detour
the essence of life to believe in more
set me free
I let go



Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

menacing black silhouette occupant of doom
silently working a slow venom bloom
deliberate struts on a stretch of silk string
pin point needles work threads to cling
long elegant strands tethered for a crossing

woven rows of windows
lies kept inside silk blinds in tow
ominous, outlaw perched beside terror
another victim caught in a sticky horror
courage moves fear a step closer to capture

intricate weave of warfare
the snare into hopeless surrender
thralled by the looming ferocious creature
simply spinning reflex into smother  
the insidious view of a spider
                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                          Terry D'Arcy-Ryan

I played Russian Roulette today
The trigger felt amazing
Your shadow stopped me
I felt complete
To destroy you
Instead

Just like when you say Baby
And smile bright
Like a circus light
I love you
Instead

I planned your Demise today
The trigger felt amazing
My shadow stopped me
I felt complete
To destroy myself
Instead

Just like when I say Baby
And lie in spite
This is my right
That I love you
Instead

I had a Blade made just for two Today
The look and feel is amazing
There will be no shadows in this foreplay
I felt complete
To destroy Us
Instead

Just like when we say Baby
Turning in that perfect Circle
Like a Merry go round
That I perfectly hate you
Instead



Terry D'Arcy-Ryan

a lustrous traipse of visible light
pieces of a gem ignite
broken shards spilling bright
scatters of spark flutter and shine
slices of illumination
a gathering riot of splinters
assemble to intricate lines
interacting a weave of threads to bind
sunbathed ribbons escaping a window blind
an iridescent flood sweeping mean
ravished in the arc of a clear running stream
seduction counts each luxe to feed a greed
holding tight a fist full of beams
every spoke slices extreme
cutting the hand that feeds
offered piece by piece
the battered bow to believe
dragging their coin to redeem
a burden to seethe

                                                              

                                                
                                           Terry D'Arcy-Ryan

I know    
I tell you this instant
I am under surveillance  
my life is being recorded indefinite
every movement
private or ordinary
including this moment
every event
big or insignificant
without my consent
there is no instant
when i am alone
only deep thoughts I no longer own
I am sure
I feel their stare
every hour they dare
can't you hear
the transmissions and communication
that high supersonic pollution
sending a command to their camera the observer
sometimes it’s near and sometimes it’s somewhere further
then I hear them, their inside the interior
I cannot explain
tell you when it came
how I missed them inside
but you now they always hide
what is sharp and clear
is the camera they put in here
right there in the Magnavox television
an ordinary TV became their mission
of course it still works with normal precision
no matter what action I take
it’s now in an unbreakable state
WHAT DID YOU SAY?
don’t look at me in that STUPID unbelievable way
you can’t conceive why
I won't just leave and be free
as much as I hate the show they see
I would rearrange the furniture down to the mantel
or even change the channel
to leave through the front door is not possible
the problems that it will intelle
outside, your crazy it's just short of suicidal
don’t you understand they are watching every intention
each direction
to plan and abandon
a walk out the door would terrorize
  I would be seen by all the eyes
the eyes in the sky
    you can't deny the satellites
catching everything like it's their right
dominating the outside day and night
pointed directly at My hidden front door
don't get me started on the store’s
once the night is in its darkest hour
I have tried to leave regardless their power
walk right out no longer the coward
that is what all the plans are for
I must make it out all my thought’s implore
I extend my hand and keep my eyes on the floor
holding the **** I begin the chore
then as if it were a signal
yes!! a secret signal
something Tucked deep inside to conceal
a dangerous secret
like a man in the shadows wearing the blackest hat
he conceals all the private things from my closet
the phone rings before I can even see the welcome mat
on a stunned level
It's always the same devil
I am obliged to acknowledge the scoundrel
we are immersed in his timing
an old move that is still so very cunning
a silence oh so staggering
my fear disorienting
they are listening
I pick up the phone
ignoring the radio source  
a land line of course
never touch a cellular they are the worst
the G P S will never let you go
cashiers at all the supermarkets will have a window
Strange ladies at the grocer
will be calling me by the name only I know
frozen with fear
the Receiver is on my ear
there is no one there
it's always the same dreaded silence
the attempt to scare me in alliance
must they listening for every performance
I know
it's them again
in here and on the other end
I am telling you I know and it's evident
they are recording my every movement
I am under surveillance
   I know

   Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

the appearance, an impression to please
living buried underneath, tucked inside to reside in need
wanting stains the hands of hope, to bend a knee and pray
understanding madness, as a cold still reach
the peaks of destiny’s belief
shadow’s our semblance, long before we could see
a tedious churning thickness
disturbed, requires cover for the comfort of restraint
breathing in the deep, to calm this keep
losing ground to stay clear, the voice of fear
a volatile sound, now rounded and fit for chain
freedom is the Idea realized and never ever seen
the scourge, calls to be wound down for spite
winding it and winding it once again
the tighter the twist, until we cannot fix
the risk and the urge to tighten again
until the weight of knowing, is sure to weaken
a turning of events borders the peaceful calm surface
the appearance, an impression to please
the pretty place perfect for a keepsake
preciously smothered to appear tame, kept in a frame
refusing to entertain or warn with her Screams
misery holds tight her hammer and swings  
                                                                      
Terry D’Arcy-Ryan

the very Earth beneath
shakes and trembles
at my feet
horizons break
desert meets Sky

there is no escape
from the *******
always taking and creating
these rapes and shakes
to what end

my eyes dart and wander
like a bird
broken and lost
searching for something familiar
in the land and the frost

the hint of a life past
cannot touch this realm
standing in the shadows
I heard my voice
"welcome to paradise"



Terry D'Arcy-Ryan

a man of means and meager will
perched upon his window sill  
playing vague for the promise of power
sings a song of a beg for the borrow
last chance, take the lead or follow
deny the headline buried shallow
a wink for here today gone tomorrow

patronize our cornerstone
lie to cover a backbone
stand upon the working hands
a great pretender in command
the artistic gesture moves the band
a flaunt for the sake of humanity
jaded swings on a strand

depravity seeks a bended knee
prosperity stands with hypocrisy
all to shake down a charity
inspires food for the Frey
feed the mighty, deny the small
the future strums for us all
as the fool dances, a fool circle

a lust to hunt is the pounce of greed
posed the tiger crouching mean
we see a coward dwelling in debris
fallen deep beside the seeds for spring
every bloom fighting for the surface
eager to bend, flourish, live to die savage
the grasp to breathe, a place to seethe



Terry D’Arcy-Ryan