I live in the mountains above the demarcation set by weathermen where rain becomes snow. And at this time of year I become very interested in what the weathermen are saying about my future. And very aware of what is going on in California. I spent yesterday getting prepared for the storm moving my direction.
On this eve of Epiphany
My focus should be on lofty goals
The year ahead
Not just tomorrow
And this huge storm heading my way
Wood inside to stoke the fire
Water horded for later use
Should the power lines
Go down in the gale force winds
A couple states away
On hundred thousand without lights
Heat
And water to drink
Rain pouring down
Snow piling up
The threat moves as a green blob on the radar
Across the Arizona border and toward my house
Stew made
Dishes washed
Lamp oil located
Matches placed carefully to be found in the dark
On this eve of Epiphany
I lay me down to sleep
Flashlight at the ready
Fire banked for the night
Will they be right
These wizards of the winds
Will dawn reveal feet of snow
Or the remains of a starry night
Will it pass me by
Spend all its fury on the White Mountains
Between me and it
It is on its way
I am ready
I think
My focus should be on lofty goals
The year ahead
Not just tomorrow
And this huge storm heading my way
Wood inside to stoke the fire
Water horded for later use
Should the power lines
Go down in the gale force winds
A couple states away
On hundred thousand without lights
Heat
And water to drink
Rain pouring down
Snow piling up
The threat moves as a green blob on the radar
Across the Arizona border and toward my house
Stew made
Dishes washed
Lamp oil located
Matches placed carefully to be found in the dark
On this eve of Epiphany
I lay me down to sleep
Flashlight at the ready
Fire banked for the night
Will they be right
These wizards of the winds
Will dawn reveal feet of snow
Or the remains of a starry night
Will it pass me by
Spend all its fury on the White Mountains
Between me and it
It is on its way
I am ready
I think
(c)J. Binford-Bell 1/05/2008
This morning the ground was merely wet. Not buried under more snow. But there are no stars and the wind still blows what appears in the pre-dawn gloom to be snow. It is just slower than they said. But the good news is the power is still on and there is a hot bath in my future.
This morning the ground was merely wet. Not buried under more snow. But there are no stars and the wind still blows what appears in the pre-dawn gloom to be snow. It is just slower than they said. But the good news is the power is still on and there is a hot bath in my future.
I really enjoy your word pictures. Let's hope this new bad weather continues to pass you by. But put more stew on, just in case!
ReplyDeleteGlad everything is ok!
ReplyDeleteLove these lines:
On this eve of Epiphany
I lay me down to sleep
Flashlight at the ready
Must be scary!
Very expressive poem, I feel the tension!
Sans Souci
Wow .. I read this 10 minutes ago and have been thinking profoundly since. Too bad I'm not able to put the profundity to paper yet. (laffin)
ReplyDeleteIt had me drifting, to that totally alone space when you live alone and face a storm. I would suppose it's the same thing as *we come into this world alone and we leave alone* thought. I'm thinking that as women, within our generation, there are many of us who live that stark reality. We are *alone* in many different ways. As *creators* in this life, we have such an opportunity to delve deep within ourselves and gift the world. I yearn to get to that place where my creativity is finally set free and it's more important than anything else, because it becomes who I am.
Thank you for gently freeing me up ... your words are a true gift.
Namaste ~ Ruthie
PS .. I love the visual shapes in this piece too.
*Will they be right
These wizards of the winds
Will dawn reveal feet of snow
Or the remains of a starry night*
Thank you all for your kind words. I do hope to see you Ruthie posting poems on your blogger site soon. I as watching a show recently and of poetry one of the characters said, "it is a way of organizing your thoughts." That is so true.
ReplyDeleteI come to realize what I am thinking by writing a poem about it.
Jacqui