Land of Nod

I sleep
Loosed mind-folly, recognizable in part
Often confirmational

But unknown elements pervade some slumber  
Lingering, even upon the conscious mind
Uncertain times

Two or three notable dreams, or visions
Repeat with some insistence that I take notice
And I do, in dreamland

Carry them along, even as I try a run
Delights of Nod, morphed into fearsome life  
Perhaps misunderstood

Within me grows apprehension, confusion
With these, burdensome heaviness: I’m not to move until
I wake

Written for dVerse Poet’s Pub Poetics: Visionary Poetry prompt. Hit the link for participation guidance!

34 thoughts on “Land of Nod”

      2. Oh, lol, well that’s really interesting because I read Treasure Island, but I quite young and it’s a huge story. You’ve inspired me to check out RL’s poems at this later date . . . something I might not have otherwise come across again. Thanks! (Oh, and Jeckyll & Hyde, another one I read a long time ago)

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      4. Oh, this is excellent. No doubt so many of us were influenced by this at some point. I wonder if it was in Mother Goose’s fairy tales, just because I don’t remember this poem standing out (or being in) either of his book that I’ve read. There’s school, too, writing classes that glance over the famous poets . . .

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    2. Also from Wikipedia, under pop culture:
      In Fevre Dream by George R. R. Martin, the Land of Nod is suggested as a place where vampires originated.

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      2. Could be, I don’t know his background at all. The Cain angle is fairly new to me, not being a deep reader of biblical stories. Although, significant church and bible study has occurred . . . could have been in there somewhere!

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    2. “Nod”, or “Land of Nod” can take a couple of distinct meanings, maybe a few. . . all from a root verb in Hebrew meaning “to wander”.

      We can also find the Land of Nod on a biblical map and tie it to that context; however, according to Wikipedia, “A Greek version of Nod possibly derives differently”, relating more to resting and sleeping. However, “this derivation may only “coincidentally connect” with the English pun on “nod”.

      Thanks for visiting! ✨

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      2. Also from Wikipedia, under pop culture:
        In “Fevre Dream” by George R. R. Martin, the Land of Nod is suggested as a place where vampires originated.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Angela – you may or may not have done this deliberately, but in addition to “The Land of Nod” being a terrific reference, it also makes me think of “nod off to sleep”, which suits the theme perfectly!

    ❤
    David

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    1. 💙Yes! Not really deliberately, but quite naturally (much the same, maybe). During my growing years, “nodding off” and “Land of Nod” were occasional heard references, which led to using the land of Nod reference within the body of the poem as I was writing (regarding it as an existential dream-place or even, being fanciful, a supernatural space). When I added that reference in the body, it occurred to me to change the name of this from “Dreams” to “Land of Nod”. Thanks so much for visiting and for your thoughtful input, David💙

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  11. Pingback: The Limelighters #125 – 1/16/2023 – Moonwashed Musings

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