Storm in a Teacup
Not Another Poem About Storms!
There seem to be quite a lot of poems written about storms. They are a popular subject like love, the sea, broken hearts, and God. Well, here’s another one called “Storm in a Teacup.”
I was sitting watching tv and checking Facebook and emails on the computer when it began to rain. Lightly at first, but there was a gentle rumbling in the distance so it was evident a storm was approaching. It wasn’t long before the rain became heavier and the thunder louder as it got closer.
Having experienced what can happen when lightning strikes or the power supply surges, I decided to play it safe and disconnect all my major appliances from the electricity supply. I boiled the kettle first and made myself a cup of tea, made sure I had a supply of candles and matches close and had nothing else to do but write this poem.
Storm in a Teacup
by John Hansen © 2015
First a gentle pitter- patter
The rain grows heavier,
Attacking the iron roof
Like a sheet of steel mesh being dragged across concrete.
Just that harsh but steady sound
Until a sudden flash of light,
As a bolt of chain lightning
Connects the heavens and the Earth for just a moment.
I count the seconds that pass
As the sky grumbles and growls,
Like some angry fairytale giant
Suffering a severe bout of indigestion, “Fe fi fo fum..”
Or a musical God beating on
A heavenly drum and cymbals,
Ending in a violent crescendo
Drum roll please…ratatatat…dadadada…boom…crash!
Each second represents a mile
Or so the old wives tell their tales,
I count to ten ‘tween flash and boom
Unplug all major appliances from the elec-tri-city supply.
Candles ready as the lights flicker,
I sit back in my chair and sip my tea
And with pen in hand, I write this poem,
No need for worry or for fear, it’s all just a storm in a teacup.
Now I find myself branching out and experimenting with short fiction, and thoroughly enjoying this, especially flash fiction.
I have been fortunate to have two poems made into songs and recorded. The first "On the Road to Kingdom Come" by Al Wordlaw, and the second, "If I Could Write a Love Poem" by award-winning Israeli/British singer Tally Koren.
My services increasingly in demand as a freelance writer and I have ghost-written the text for a number of children's books and educational tutorials.
It has taken me many years of searching and restlessness to realise that my life's passion is to write. It saddens me that I wasted so many years not devoting to that, but thinking positively, the experiences gained over those years are now wonderful material for my stories and poems.
I want to try to bring a new focus on poetry and try to make it appealing to a new generation of young people and those who thought they never liked or understood it before.
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Ah Ha ! , Love it John , and I was just thinking about the melting away of winter here where I live ! So , check it out and thanks for the inspiration !…….I’m still smiling !
Glad you enjoyed this one Ed. Your Winter has ended and ours has just begun. Keep on smiling!
You sure find unique titles and subjects, John. This is delightful and exciting with a thunder storm on the way. I love storms like that and your poem sure makes it come alive. Well done!
Thank you Phyllis. Yes, I too find storms exciting. Enjoy the one brewing where you are.
That’s great John, and yes we all love storms, they are a feast for the senses, and that’s why we write about them; they evoke emotions and visual splendor worth writing about. great work here.
Thank you, Tony. Storms sure are good for inspiring us writers. Thanks for reading.
I love storms no matter what I’m drinking. The spectacle is always a light show too. The winds, hail, hard rain all make my senses whirl. Your poem was expressive and delightful. I hope it all went well and you also enjoyed your tea sir.
Hi, Vincent. Storms are always welcome here because they tend to bring much-needed rain with them. I am generally a coffee man, but now and then I enjoy a cup of tea with a slice of lemon in it.
I like this John. You know storms is one of my favorite subjects to write about. I love the title “storm in a teacup” very cute.
Thank you, Dana. I like to come up with titles that are a play on words. I hope to see your writing here soon,
I do not know if it is the teacup but this poem reminds me of Lewis Carroll. Or at least I was reminded of him while I read. Jamie
Maybe it reminded you of “The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party”, Jamie, though I’d love to think my writing itself reminded you of Lewis Carroll..what an honour that would be.