In Between the Dark and the Light

By James Annandale

Stepping out of the shadows of a series of psychotic episodes, battling mind-crippling self-doubt and depression and extreme feelings of being lost, loss and loneliness; to the excitement of getting together with my wife and soul mate, rediscovering my passions and the joy of becoming a dad for the first time…

 

These are some of the themes influenced by events that have taken place over the last decade of my life and inspired 'In Between the Dark and the Light', a collection of 36 poems I've poured my heart into, torn open my chest and let my soul spill out onto the pages of this book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James Annandale
• Release date: Jun 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223120117

James Annandale

James Annandale is a poet, artist and teacher based in South Wales, UK. A devoted family man, when he's not spending time with his wife and son he is passionately pursuing his eclectic creative endeavours such as spoken word, street art or making videos. He's also a part time art lecturer and life drawing tutor. You can see more of his work and follow his journey by searching words_images_motion on social media.

Book preview

Part 1

Amidst the Shadows

The Heartless Darkness

Straight out of the heartless darkness I came

bursting back into daylight,

bright as a thousand neon lights

strapped tight to the side of a rocket

made from dynamite.

Ready to burn away the dark matter

packed clouds of black,

fingers lit like flaming torches

burn brighter than Van Gogh orchards.

Me,

I’m at the ready to light the fuse,

I’m ready to turn night back to day

I may be lost but I refuse

to let my spark be diminished,

may be down but I’m not finished.

––––––––

All said and done

the road’s so long,

time to stay strong

when all’s gone wrong.

––––––––

Straight out of the heartless darkness

that kept me held back,

ankles strapped,

mental trapped,

temple taxed.

Tangled up in a wrangle that

had me grasping with nothing there,

gasping for air.

Charging through a bleak wilderness,

streak of a voice less poised weak and timorous.

Out and out lost in inwardness,

desperately in need of mindfulness.

Yet I can’t find help;

I’m helpless-ness.

Yet I can’t see;

what’s right in front of me.

Could it be,

I’m the cause of my grief?

But,

must,

just...

remember to breathe.

––––––––

All said and done

the road’s so long,

time to stay strong

when all’s gone wrong.

––––––––

Straight out of the heartless darkness,

I harness the sharpness

of this new-found life-like light

enabling me to escape the harshness

of this lifeless carcass of a shadowy underworld,

dark and artless.

As light rays race,

from within.

I see the breaking of day,

not on the horizon

but as my eyes widen.

My will comes alive when

my heart beats so fast

that the charge makes me ask:

What do I love?

What makes me live?

Why am I here?

What can I give?

Inner vision’s what I’ve been missing,

paired with an inability to make a decision.

This ain’t living!

Fears tamed,

as the blood surges through my veins

my nerves change.

My earth’s changed.

Observe change.

These broken chains,

smashed to pieces!

A freed slave

no longer in pieces.

Mind and heart at peace,

see what the past teaches.

No longer defeatist!

Me,

I’m at the ready to light the fuse.

I’m ready to turn night back to day,

I may have been lost but I refuse

to let my spark be diminished.

May’ve been down but NEVER finished!

––––––––

All said and done

the road’s so long,

time to stay strong

when all’s gone wrong.

––––––––

All said and done

the road’s so long,

time to stay strong

when all’s gone wrong.

––––––––

All said and done

the road’s so long,

time to stay strong

when all’s gone wrong.

I want to feel the Night

I want to feel the night.

I wish I could step out from the window,

and float into the sky

and let the velvet black night,

envelop me in her arms.

I want to race with shooting stars,

and draw a smile on the face of the moon,

and let everybody know,

everything’s going to be alright.

I’ll be back soon.

As I soar through the atmosphere

over large sections of land,

the icy wind strokes my cheeks, ears and nose.

My eyes fixed on the lights,

dancing far below.

Breezing through dark cloud shadow.

Oh, what a feeling it is

to fly through the night’s skies,

arms open wide,

free as a bird

no longer caged inside.

Freeing feelings

and in no