Written within the corridors of my mind


DARKNESS WITHIN

When darkness descends,
Often my mind goes wandering.
As I walk through the solitude,
Not fitting in to where I am.

Feeling, Striving to be
Trapped inside the walls of life.
Prevailing winds waft over me,
As I feel a summer breeze.

Arms flung outside myself,
Trying to find myself.
In a place I shouldn't be,
Suddenly my mind turns.

Looking outside myself,
As only a stranger can.
Glancing around not recognising,
Unexplainable thinking.

A traveller through time,
Oh their I am, Somewhere,
yet nowhere I could find.
Within the confines Of my mind.







Poetry by Alan J Ripley The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 137 times
star mini Editors' choice
Written on 2026-08-13 at 06:59

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Sameen The PoetBay support member heart!
This has a proper wandering, unsettled feeling. The repetition of being outside and inside yourself works well, and the line about looking as only a stranger can is genuinely eerie. The poem does a good job capturing that dislocated state where you don't recognize your own surroundings or your own head. But some lines feel padded, like "Unexplainable thinking Suddenly," which lands awkwardly right after a similar image. The poem is strongest when it stays simple and lets the strangeness speak for itself. The final couplet brings it home nicely.
2026-08-25


Editorial Team The PoetBay support member heart!
Your poem has been chosen to be featured on the home page of PoetBay. Thank you for posting on our poetry website!
2026-08-17


arquious The PoetBay support member heart!
Mapping out those journeys gives us reference points and brings contours, textures and shades. Like those deepspace expeditions we see what was only ever imagined. 🙏🏻🕊️
2026-08-15


Clara Mae Gregory The PoetBay support member heart!
Yet, there is still your candle burning inside you, lighting the way. Hope you have a bright, love light day today, Alan. Blessings
2026-08-13