Winter Storm – When The Day Gets A Little Warm
Winter storm, when it gets too warm
The relentless pitter patter of rain
Slow and steady throughout the day
Razor-sharpened by the frozen air
Slicing through the atmosphere
As if everyone was listening; absorbing
Each drop carries the gift of sound
Unique as the footprint of a snowflake
Yet unformed and brazenly unafraid
Fierce screams and battle cries
And hollow haunted whispering echoes
Falling through the emptiness
Shadows cast from in-between
Daylight, yet the skies still dim
The darkening cauldron bubbling
Clouds gathering; crashing; colliding
Darkness kneading black and grey
Developing of a gathering
Angry thunder rolling in the distance
Seconds tick by and silent flashes
Delayed by the distance and time
Quietly deferring to the frozen gusts
Sounds riding the hardened wind
Icy fingers of frost slipping away
Messengers of the lands far away
Across the ground and through the trees
Sliding at uncontrolled speeds
Gnarled branches expose themselves
Old bark peeling away slowly
What remains falling to the ground
Welcoming ice and snow below
A dried leaf silently falling in a winding spiral
Dry and crumbling; at least for now
The fate no longer in question
While dampness permeates the world
Seeping into every pore and crevice
Cold to chill, but not ready to freeze
Landscape shifting from total white
Naked rocks peeking from hillsides
Dried yellow grass and wilted leaves
The hours pass and little becomes more
Spaces showing and water flowing
Unseen, he sun deigns a rapid descent
Grey quickly forms into total black
Winds rise in voice and speed
Drops are freezing; growing white
Some slicing, others swirling
Taking flight on this angry night
Another skirmish coming to an end
The more shifts back to little
Retreating grasses slowly disappear
Rocks hiding and puddles icing
Winter storm and temperature falling
Nightfall and it all continues
Drifting through the night,
Growing white…
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Ah! The perfect storm – you had no misses, for it has everything. This brings back memories of the winter storms in Washington (PNW) I listened to at night as a child. I loved them as I snuggled under warm blankets. Great work, Ralph.
Ralph , I love a good storm , always have and this writing has me looking out of the window in anticipation !………..great one !
Like Ed I love a good storm and probably missed my calling by not being a storm chaser. Love this piece Ralph.
What a journey your poem was for me. I felt as if I was in the center of the storm as it creates/destroys and was left silent in the peaceful white of the conclusion. Well written and a great read. Thank you Phyllis. Jamie
Ralph I apologize I meant to say thank you for writing this poem and wrote Phyllis instead. I stand corrected and hope I did not offend. Jamie
Honest mistake…thanks
Well that describes winter in New York to a tee. Excellent inagery as always Ralph. Well done