
victim feels disturbingly sheepish when
pale eyes of death stare down their neck;
a black stone heart with unblinking eyes
watching, watching in dark for opportunity.
does devil wear faux alpaca coat or is she
genuine, nightmarish animist with long face
and sharp chin to be used as artist’s weapon
to elicit salty streams of patron’s fearful tears?
her thin head appears vaguely disconnected
from soul-less body, which is reason why
she seeks to possess another’s…after, oh,
so slowly drowning them in acid downpour.
calling on unnatural spirit will, in the end,
bring only howling, painful torture such as
cruel wringing of blood from besotted ears
all while hearing hideous inhuman laughter.
_____________________
Painted by Ukrainian artist Svetlana Telets, Rain Woman (1996) illustrates a pale woman with elongated features, a long neck, and wearing a large black hat, standing in the rain. The artist claimed that for months leading up to her painting, she felt an invisible presence watching her constantly. Telets’ painting was displayed in a local art gallery in Ukraine, where it was purchased and returned multiple times by buyers who reported the painting caused them to experience insomnia, nightmares, and an eery sensation of being watched.
(As you’ve probably deduced from reading, I did not see the Rain Woman as wearing a hat, but long ears.)
_____________________
Melissa offers some creepy artwork to write about “a haunting”. Come join dVerse poets and have a good scare!
Oct 26, 2026 @ 14:50:52
Really like the atmosphere you paint through your cadence..bitter, startling, vivid…the spectre of doom…
Oct 26, 2026 @ 19:51:43
Thank you so much, Ain…mission accomplished 🙂
Oct 22, 2026 @ 17:29:51
What a great description to go along with the artwork:
“a black stone heart with unblinking eyes
watching, watching”
Indeed.
Oct 23, 2026 @ 09:11:33
Thank you, Melissa…you pointed out the heart of this poetic nightmare!
Oct 21, 2026 @ 10:17:46
I too felt the glimmer of morbid pleasure in this subject. You captured that “creepy” part! Well played.
Oct 21, 2026 @ 11:57:00
Thanks for your comment, Susan…it made me smile 🙂
Oct 21, 2026 @ 09:47:21
You hit the spot, Lynn, with ‘a black stone heart with unblinking eyes watching, watching in dark for opportunity’ and ‘she seeks to possess another’s…after, oh, so slowly drowning them in acid downpour’. Perfect for Halloween.
Oct 21, 2026 @ 11:57:40
Thanks, Kim…scary stuff!
Oct 21, 2026 @ 09:40:02
Ooo, I really like “slowly drowning them in acid downpour.”
Oct 21, 2026 @ 08:43:55
The interpretation is really vivid… the subject of nightmares.
Oct 21, 2026 @ 08:51:37
Thanks for your comment, Bjorn. Who knew a black sheep could be so creepy?!
Oct 21, 2026 @ 08:14:43
I would not want this painting anywhere near me! Shudder!
Oct 21, 2026 @ 08:50:29
I totally agree, Merril…it’s disturbing.
Oct 21, 2026 @ 10:58:48
It is!
Oct 21, 2026 @ 00:17:46
You told her story beautifully and with a definite air of mystery and scariness – Jae
Oct 21, 2026 @ 07:10:08
I appreciate your appreciation, Jae! This is fictional but the supernatural is real.