Trapped within this bubble, I feel nothing of the arid landscape that surrounds me. I sit in subjugation, offered scraps to feed upon; amuse-bouche for the soul, or so I imagine. Apportioned morsels to sustain me, but never more than your callous ego will allow. Yes, I have licked the plate and the tang has seared my tongue, left a residue of shame that will forever taint my palate. I once soared with as much grace and majesty as the prey that circles overhead – a dangerous companion to adopt, folly perhaps, as I know what it awaits.
Freedom, such a simple thing, stolen from me by destiny’s choice; a truth mourned beyond measure. I was vibrant once, as vibrant as the now desiccated tree before me. I see its brittle limbs, its exposed bones; the crack that foretells of the next fractured moment. I live that moment with every breath, forever caught just before the fall, perpetually suspended in a state of flux. With bowed back, I am forced to genuflect, to stare into a shallow pool that lacks reflection; a me without identity, stripped of all dignity. With broken wings, I stagnate in this cage never to glide on lighter waves of air again.
~ Nina D’Arcangela
© Copyright Nina D’Arcangela. All Rights Reserved.
Great post Nina! I love the dark work you guys do on this blog.
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Thank you, Jessica! We aim to please!!! Don’t forget to come back each Tuesday for more dark fic. 😀
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I’ll be there!
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You capture darkness and share it with grace, Nina. This is beautiful, emotive prose.
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Thank you, Joe! 🙂
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I really enjoyed this forlorn and introspective piece Nina
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I’m glad you liked it, Veronica! 😀
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As always, you never cease to impress me, Nina. What a dark piece of writing you’ve created. You share with us the truth about what a good writer can do with words. Wonderful!
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Thank you for your kind words, Christopher! I really enjoyed writing this one.
😀
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Such a beautifully written piece, Nina! This really captures emotion with words, the way a great piece of writing should; you can really feel something while reading.
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Thank you, Lee! My preferred style of writing – emotive prose. 😀
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I’ve been reading this twice a day since Tuesday, and I have to say that I am still wrapping my mind around how you conjured a vast range of emotions in two paragraphs. Well written, well shown, and well done indeed, Nina!
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Thank you, John!! I hope you’re finding different meanings in the words as well with each new reading! I love writing emotive prose; the punchier, the better!! 😀
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I don’t know how you do it, Nina. You’ve captured an amazing and quick piece from an equally amazing photo! Your words conveyed the emotion in the pic! Not only that but your prose stands just as powerful and moving on its own. Well done!
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Thanks, Jon!! I admit, I really loved writing this piece. 😀
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Reblogged this on Jon Olson and commented:
WAVES by Pen of the Damned’s Nina D’Arcangela
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Thank you for reblogging Waves, Jon!! ❤
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Reblogged this on and commented:
Nina has an ability to summon a wide range of emotions from a reader with her elegant horror, and in this weeks Pen of the Damned, she strikes awe in my eyes with her piece “Waves”. I look up to writers likes this, who can keep it short and vivid and vast and longing for more. Her prose, illustrious skills with words, paints the mind so well. Enjoy, friends!
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Thank you for the lovely intro, John, and for reblogging Waves! ❤
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Nina, what a wonderful blend of horror and poetry. So beautifully written that your prose sent waves through me as a felt your protagonist’s longing and sadness. With just an image and your words, you pulled me into another dimension. Well done!
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Thank you for the very kind words, Brian! Offer me the opportunity to write about The Dark Angel, and I’ll happily spool emotive prose all day long. I’m glad you enjoyed it!! 🙂
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Reblogged this on THE CRYPT OF HORROR and commented:
Here’s a beautifully written short story by Nina D’Arcangela. Read it for free on Pen of the Damned.
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Thank you for sharing Waves, Brian! 🙂
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Just like you, this story packs a huge punch in a tiny package! I think you need a hug. 🙂 Great story.
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I’ll always take a Monster hug!!! The written jab is my specialty, creature feature!!! ;-D
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Reblogged this on Fictionspawn Monsters and commented:
Yesterday I published an illustrated story about caged animals. Today I found this sad yet beautiful post about being caged by Nina D’Arcangela on penofthedamned.com. Enjoy.
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Reminds me somewhat of Robert E. Howard’s short piece of pulp fiction “Tower of the Elephant.”
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Hi James! I can’t say that I’ve read it, but I will now. Thank you for stopping by!! 🙂
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Whoa, count me in. Following you now…
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Thank you, George! Always happy to have a new follower! 😀
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