Nightmare Poetry

Write a horror poem centred on something that watches you when you’re alone. It doesn’t have to be a monster—it could be a presence, a memory, a house, a god, a shadow, or your own reflection. The key is unease. Make the reader feel seen in the worst possible way.

Guidelines:

• Focus on atmosphere, dread, and lingering imagery.

• Suggestion is often more terrifying than gore—use what you don’t show.

• Any poetic form is welcome (free verse, structured, prose poetry, experimental).

• Keep it original and written for ShadowSphere.

A small number of poems may be selected as Editor’s Choice and featured in Dark Descent at editorial discretion. Publication is selective and never guaranteed.

Horror comes first. Atmosphere matters. Make it haunt us.