Such stark imagery and the thoughts that you awaken are displayed on my mind like a full screen movie. Fascinating stuff, Jude. Thank you. Love and peace to you,

Regis

You must have written the vampire super bowl commercial...sunrise vaporize. Fascinating read. Patrick

JUDE ... WOW!

This is a tough one to decipher, and as all the prior comments attest,
there are many possibilities. But, is this not what Poetry is all about? Each and every Author may have a specific 'theme' in mind - OR NOT ...

Yet, each Reader will inevitably 'read in' that which he/she wishes ... based on their own education, training, experience, and environment.

I got several different, but perhaps related 'takes.' the Crows Cawing on Crucifixes near Empty Churches - could be about abuses suffered by Children, by 'Men in Black' which have finally have been 'Brought to Light'?

The 'Vapor' that got away could be either a 'Survivor' who transcended the awfulness, or a lucky individual, who was Never Abused in the first place?

As a young lad, I was an 'Altar Boy' for a couple of years, and was never ever abused, neither by 'Men of the Cloth' nor Parents ... Ergo - quite fortunate! And yet, there were at least two Priests who were 'Rum-Dums' with 'Red-Noses' who obviously over-indulged frequently in the 'Sacramental' Wines.

P.S. ... next time you soak in that ancient bathtub, add some 'Epsom Salts' to the hot water, it helps to relax those 'titanic tendons'. And, always light a scented candle, it helps to relieve the 'awful offal' of life!

My first visit here ... and not unlike General Douglas MacArthur, "I Shall Return!"

THE PLACES THAT DREAMS TAKE US...SOMETIMES WE'RE RUNNING AWAY FROM SOMETHING AND SOMETIMES...WE ARE RUNNING TOWARDS SOMETHING, BUT, IN ANY CASE...THEIR ONLY DREAMS. WELL DONE, JUDE, WONDERFUL IMAGERY. THANKS FOR SHARING. LOVE, BLESSINGS AND FAITH...
JOYCE * HIS INSPIRATIONS

nascent with nervy oscillations, fibrous with filamental yarn threaded through with the theatricality of a thespian from another ethereality, and suffused with a trenchant tremble presaging the truculent trundle of an earthy ache raw in pangs of nepenthe-soaked stirrings to awaken to visionary slumbers again and again....

...and we're off again... on another vapor trail...

Nice write of the other realities :-) Wonder what gate you got through this time?

Not to fast forward
*Jude*
rather to incorporste
a comfortable pace!!

Lady Vivian

hot baths are a great place to lucid dream, seems this expression is seeking escape from subconscious belief structures in order to allow something new to surface?

LOL, you and your "psychic possibilities", Kartero! Right now, this takes me to a Dickensian London river scene - no smog here but snow for certain sure and a special night at London's Festival Hall last evening partaking of Bruckner's 9th and Te Deum (!!): such a disconcertingly dissonant piece exploring the discomforts of a pain-filled mortality and the wonders of a faith-filled eternality. He had absolutely no doubt that this was his devotional "ticket" to that Great Getaway In The Sky! :)) Like Bruckner, within your passages of disturbance, there is a real sense of calm and peace amidst that "oscillating scream" - the "cuddling kettle" and soothing bathtub vouchsafing that restful stream of "sanctimonious irony". Certainly one to clear the head with its stark imagery and Goya-esque palette of rich emotional textures. xx

...I get the sense of 'out of body' feel, ancient place, another time...so much to unravel, yet a mystery for sure~

This reads like a fever dream; a certain amount of confusion combined with frustration and uneasiness. Not unlike something I might have dreamed after seeing a double feature of Planet of the Apes and Rear Window. An interesting yet vague offering, Jude.
Take care,
Sherry

intriguing poem,Jude! Time for a vacation,far away from routine;-)

There's a story here, But it got away from me. The vapors was a common illness in the nineteenth century, but I don't think you are a woman, so you can't catch it. Just like I can't catch the gist of your poem. ;-)

Ron

"vapors" a seemingly reflective..inspiring you are the
one who got through...a gift of your expressive writing
Lady Mary Ann

An awe-inspiring emotional cloud, incredible the way you bridge the two worlds with such fantastical and dark imagery!

Jude, Such visiuals and deeply moving stanzas. It is a dream and a reality all mixed into one poem of mind grabbing words from the master of irony. On one hand it appears that in childhood something horrific is going on, but presently escape seems impossible until the end. Just rambling, but channeling my feelings right after reading this most thought provoking poetry.
I believe you should have a glass of wine before bed so dreaming will be more tranquil and joyful.. :)

Vapors is one poem that should be read again in a different frame of mind and more than likely will have a different affect on that reader.

As always you leave me in awe of your literary talent!

Much peace, light, and love,
Amber

Ah, big city life is such "fun"...e

A sad indictment of our sad modern world.

There perchance go I? Delving into the soul here and shining the poetical light on humanity, especially the City's humanity. When I lived in New York, long before my poet days, there were times when I thought these thoughts of yours although not understanding or even knowing why. The City just had a lonely feel to it even though I passed by literally thousand of people each day. A ride on a subway during rush hour still brings back memories of lust without faces or names or anything else. Just touching. Pressing. Touching.

such a dear price one pays to think deeply and to dream thereupon...