The Raven - Ian Duquemin

The Raven
Drenched in darkness
Eyes observing everything
Life... Death... Perversion
Unable to separate
As all is one
Life... The beginning of all ends
Death... The end of all beginnings
Perversion... All that lies between
There is no escape on these fragile wings
As only sorrow is truth
From a baby's cry to the final breath
The Raven observes you all

Ian Duquemin


Image : Pixabay - blackrabbitkdj

Beyond the Sea and Sky - Ian Duquemin

I walked the rugged cliff paths from the high land to the sea
With only Mother Nature as my welcomed company
Beneath my feet the fallen leaves lay naked on the ground
I sat and breathed the life of air and relished what I'd found
The only sound is silence, I have found some peace at last
It takes away the troubles of a most pathetic past
I think that I will stay awhile and sing with seagulls high
And wonder what's beyond the joining of the sea and the sky

Ian Duquemin

Image : Pixabay - diego_torres

A Poet's Last Stand - Ian Duquemin

I am so frail that I can barely breathe
Yet my mind refuses rest
My pen dilly dally's across paper like a stone skips on water
Spider ink scrawls from my scatty thoughts, as though a madman has moved into my head... With squatter's rights well learned
Is this to be my epitaph? Like so many "lasts"
Surely this cannot be my masterpiece. My pièce de résistance. My Magnum Opus
But in truth... I am only a poet... Always the dreamer... So then... I am but a fool

Ian Duquemin

Image : Pixabay - cromaconceptovisual

The Leaf - Ian Duquemin

I caught a falling dying leaf
And in that moment felt its grief
The dancing spirits waited by
The breeze it hushed its lullaby
I whispered that I felt its pain
And heard returned the very same
Before it flew away from me
To wander far and free

Ian Duquemin

Image : Pixabay - pixel2013

Broken - Ian Duquemin

Leave me alone, let me cry for awhile 
I don't want to talk, and I can't find my smile 
I'm just a boy no one wants anyway 
So I'll hide where I can for the rest of the day

These children around me, well they understand 
They've been hit with a stick, they've been punched with a hand 
Seen so many things a child never should see
But none of them witnessed the damage in me

I live in a world, one of darkness and pain 
Found strength to get up, but been knocked down again 
If nobody wants me, then why should I care? 
I'll just wrap myself up in this cloak of despair 

I don't want to live, in this nightmare so real 
This pain isn't something a small boy should feel 
So lock me away, there's no sunshine for me
It's only in darkness I'm able to see

Will I grow to be loved, maybe even adored? 
Or continue forever, expelled and ignored 
These scars no one sees, will they always remain? 
A constant reminder of sorrow and pain 

Leave me alone, I am broken and bruised 
A child who feels nothing.. But hurt and abused 
If nobody loves me, I'll hide here a while 
Until somebody searches and finds me a smile 

Ian Duquemin

Image : Pixabay - Tumisu

Inside the Bluebird - Ian Duquemin

I sit on my bed that is made from a door
My feet on a rug neatly placed on the floor
The wood burner glows as a log does ignite
I gaze at the warmth of its flickering light
Shadows move freely like spirits at play
The rain on the roof washing daytime away
A spiral of smoke rises up to the skies
As the flames come alive in my eyes

Inside the Bluebird, a magical place
My very own home and my very own space
No more am I lonely and never more free
An Indian's eyes they look down upon me
Telling me I should give thanks for this day
The spirits will chant all my worries away
Sandalwood incense that hangs in the air
I breathe in to heal and repair

Ian Duquemin


Image : Pinterest

The System - Ian Duquemin

The warning signs were in his eyes
The pain was locked away inside
His body beaten black and blue
From every punch his parents threw 
And yet not one reached out to him 
The evidence was on his skin
His fear so obvious to see
A short life spent in agony 
Locked away alone to cry
Yet no one ever wondered why? 
No food or toys. No time to play
No bed for him to sleep and lay
No one rang the warning bell
To save this child from living hell
To wrap him in a caring arm
And keep him safe from any harm
"The system" let this poor boy die
Of that "The system" can't deny
How many more will die the same? 
And you "The system" still to blame
These children, they depend on you 
To see things from a child's view 
To hear the things they need to say
Not leave them there, and turn away
Another victim of abuse 
"The system" there is no excuse 
So hang your sorry head in shame
Admit that you were too to blame
You left him there to die alone
Hell for him, was in his home 
You listened to his parents lies 
But missed the truth within his eyes

Ian Duquemin

Image : Pixabay - geralt

Moth to a Flame - Ian Duquemin

I'm drawn to you… 
Like a moth to a flame 
You set fire to my wings, all over again 
Broken, I spiral, and crash to the floor 
But you help me back up, just to burn me some more 

I come to you… 
Like a moth to a flame 
Knowing this glow, will bring pleasure and pain
Your light, inferno. The passion in you
To burn in your flame, I am honoured to do 

Ian Duquemin


Image : Pixabay - Josch13/Hans

Screaming Bees - Ian Duquemin

No angels came to greet me, only darkness 
Swarms of screaming bees had filled my mind 
Everything so black… Much like an ocean 
Drowning… I was motionless and blind
Strip lights flashing, in and out of focus 
Panicked voices, calling out my name
Every silent breath, a breath of struggle 
Numb from any feeling, or the pain 
No blinding light or doorway, lay ahead of me
No healing hand, or whispers of concern 
Nothing, but the sound of angry insects 
Breaking free to summon my return
I opened up my eyes, in some confusion 
Everything so sterile, white and clean 
Had I simply drifted here, from out of nowhere? 
A place the living never should have been
Fragile as a man of many ages
Nothing making any sense at all 
Left wondering… If I should ask forgiveness? 
Yet knowing that no one would hear my call
In life I wasn't worth the gift of living 
Yet even death refused to welcome me
And so I just drifted, through this life of wonder 
Where through the darkness, I had learned to see

Ian Duquemin

Image : downgraf.com - Pierre Alain D

O Shining One - Ian Duquemin

How you have fallen, O shining one
When once like a star you so beautifully shone
Son of the morning, from heaven you fell
To dwell in the darkness, and fires of hell
Lucifer, you were the bringer of light
Angelical Venus that burned in the night
Rebellious angel, who tried to save Man
And alter the wrath of a heavenly plan

Ian Duquemin

Image : An engraving by Gustave Dore from Milton's 'Paradise Lost'. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Lifeboat - Ian Duquemin

Well I see you… 
Like a kind of lifeboat 
On a stormy sea
Reaching out to rescue me
To pull me from the waves
That try to drag me under 
Above you… The clouds 
So angry in their thunder 
But you find me… 
And save me, time and time again
While the clouds burst 
Drenching us in rain
But you hold me near 
And those clouds all disappear 
As in your arms 
I have nothing to fear 
You're a lifeboat 
Tumbling on a stormy sea
Always there to save me, from the depths of my insanity 
Never alone… 
Not drowning on my own
Just keeping me safe… 
And bringing me home 

Ian Duquemin

Image : Mumbai Mirror

The Spell - Ian Duquemin

Inside a house within the wood
A bent and twisted woman stood
She chanted words beneath her breath
That called on demons, summoned death
A fire burned within her eyes
Its flames began to demonise
Her spell then mingled with the smoke
And ghostly fingers formed to choke
She gave a smile this tragic night
As smokey fingers held on tight
The bells of morning brought a crowd
The Mayor in sadness spoke aloud
The people cried at news he read
"Our Queen is dead.... OUR QUEEN IS DEAD!"
And from a house within the wood
A pretty green eyed woman stood
Uncovered from the dark of night
She danced beneath the golden light
Then called toward the oldest tree
Now all shall notice me!


Image : Market day - painted by Y. G. B. O'Neil - from the Exhibition of the Royal Academy . Artist/engraver/cartographer: Y.G. B. O`Neil. Provenance: The Illustrated London News. Type: Antique wood-engraved print. Illustrated London News full page from 17 May 1856.

Ian Duquemin

If I Were An Artist - Ian Duquemin

If I were an artist 
And you were my muse
I'd not find your vibrant colours to use
The rainbow in you, I could never compare 
Your aura… The sunshine that flows through your hair
No artist could paint such a beautiful view
Your universe eyes are the highlight of you 
So I'll try as a poet. And write what I see
To capture the beauty inspiring me

Ian Duquemin

Image: Jacek Malczewski (1854-1929)

Trinity - Ian Duquemin

Of God. The Son. Or the Holy Ghost.
I've wondered in which I would trust the most…
The God. The designer. The Creator of all
If he listened, then God never answered my call
As I've prayed for peace… But the wars go on
"Protect the sick" but they too have gone
If killing is something God loves to do
I'm sorry… But I could not follow you

The Son. A man who once walked this earth
Who was crowned a king at his time of birth
Who grew to preach, and to raise the dead
To feed five thousand on fish and bread
Whose blood was wine… Who could walk on sea
This couldn't be real... It's fantasy
Should I believe in a man who lied?
Whose father just watched him be crucified?

The Holy Ghost… Of the Trinity
Where God and Son, now amount to three
The spirit of something… But I'm not sure
The death of life? That became the cure!
If death is life… Then what are you giving?
A life of struggle, not worth the living
Then show yourself, let me see the truth
Just give me an answer. Give me the proof

I'm told, I'll burn if I turn away
A sickening game that believers play
"You'll go to hell for Eternity!"
Well… Maybe hell is the place for me
As I've done my best, but that's never enough
I've fallen apart when the times got tough
Throughout my life I have felt alone
So at least I'd be able to call this home
But who is the Devil? This angel once banished
Who fell to earth and then somehow vanished
I want to believe… But what can I say?
I haven't a fiddle to play

Ian Duquemin

Rising - Ian Duquemin

I'd sit down and think of the times of my past
The shit and the shadows depression had cast
The troubles, the fears, in a future untold
I'd cling to those times, though they left me so cold
I'd grow from a child who was always in pain
I'd fall to my knees, but I'd rise once again
Over and over the hurdles appeared
But the falls became lessons I no longer feared
No barrier stopped me, I'd crash my way through
I tried to be someone who's honest and true
Those days as a child they were never to last
As you cannot move forward, if you live in the past
I think of those days with a new sense of pride
As no one can tell me that I've never tried
I give what I can to those living in pain
As I know in my heart... You will rise once again

Ian Duquemin
Image : Pixabay - Crucifurr

Sands Of Time - Ian Duquemin

Life is just a timer… 
Where the sand falls faster every day
Everything surrounding you
Will turn to dust, and drift away 
Every day that passes by
Another day, that now is past 
Nothing in this life, was made to last

And what was young
Will soon be old
And memories, only stories told 
To no one who will even wish to hear
And like the ghosts surrounding you
No matter what you try to do 
Those memories of yours, will disappear 

And every passing day will be 
Another lost, for you and me 
And soon the last will come, without a sign 
With all your dreams that never came
You never had yourself to blame 
As no one ever slowed the sands of time 

The bells will echo on and on
But even those will soon be gone
Silence will descend upon us all 
The timer can't be turned around 
And in the glass a final sound 
One last grain of sand, is yet to fall

So close your eyes, don't be afraid 
Of your mistakes, and choices made 
Life was never yours to understand 
The time you never thought about 
Unknowingly, was running out 
And every day of life was only sand 

Ian Duquemin

Image : Pinterest - Daljeet Kaur

2020 - Ian Duquemin

I thank two thousand and twenty 
As it really wasn't that bad
The gifts that it gave were plenty 
If you think of the treasures we had
Like silence, and time for thinking 
Rest for our weary bones
Love to share with our families
In the comfort we call our homes 
Air to breathe, unpolluted 
Strangers now saying hello 
Helping each other, and lending a hand 
The stars once again on show
A year is not something to squander 
As another is now in our past 
So I'm hoping the next one will be much the same
And the lessons we're learning will last 

Ian Duquemin

You I See - Ian Duquemin

I stared into my eyes
Reflected in my view
I hated who I saw
As all I see is you
The scars of life on show
The pain I only see
I grip the razors edge
To cut you out of me

The smile that I now wear
Is torn upon my skin
Reminds me of the child
You locked away within
The little boy long lost
Who never dared to cry
A lifetime torn in two
Who's truth was all a lie

And in my hour of need
You turned and walked away
The memories that remain
Forever in that day
The blood that stains my hurt
A mask that once was me
Yet through these eyes of mine
It's only you I see

I hated who you were
And now I hate myself
You damaged everything
To satisfy yourself
And here I stand alone
A grin that bares your shame
But you will never win
As now I smile again

Ian Duquemin

All You Ever Do (Is Break My Heart) - Ian Duquemin

You say that you don't love me anymore
But I've heard that same old story, so many times before
So go ahead and leave me
I don't need you to explain
As I know that when you've had your fun
You'll turn up once again
All you ever do is break my heart
But I miss you every moment, that you and I must be apart
I know this may sound crazy…
But I'll wait right here for you
And dwell on all the pain, that you're about to put me through

And soon enough, you'll call me on the phone
You'll tell me that you're sorry, and you want to come back home
And like a fool, I'll let you in…
Just like I have before
So you can do your very best, to hurt a little more
As all you ever do is break my heart
You rip it up, not satisfied, until it falls apart
I know you think I'm crazy…
But I'll hang around for you
Like broken hearted lovers, are known to often do

So here we go again...
I guess I haven't learned
That playing with this fire…
I'm bound to end up getting burned
But I can't stay away from you, no matter how I try
And many times I've asked myself, but still I don't know why
As all you ever do is break my heart
The stitches come undone…
Then my whole world just falls apart
I know I must be crazy...
But no matter what you do
How ever much you hurt me, I just keep on loving you

Ian Duquemin

Friend Of Mine - Ian Duquemin

Jesus was a friend of mine
We hung out every day
He asked me why I sinned so much?
And why I never pray?
I told him that I loved him
That I do the best I can
Said "I am not a preacher
I am simply just a man"
He told me of his journey
He'd come so very far
He pointed to the heavens
Towards the brightest star
He said that's where he came from
And I stood there in his spell
I wondered how this Moon child
Could have stumbled into hell?
I watched as he was talking
To the crowds that gathered round
I saw his lips were moving
But I could not hear a sound
And when I asked him later
Of the message I'd not heard
He told me not to worry
As he hadn't said a word
The further that we travelled
He moved too far ahead
It's then that I discovered
That I had been misled
I called for him to save me
But he did not hear my call
The man that I had followed
Was not a friend at all

Ian Duquemin