Sunday, September 21, 2014

I SAW THE PERILS OF EARTH


View from my front window



I've been living in storm clouds a while.
They gulped me in one swallow
then let me hover over life immobile
watching as destructive floods inundate
the earth, the way malignant thoughts
flash through my mind obscuring the sun.

There's a lot to see in darkness.
Fear illuminates shadows.
I tried to close my eyes but couldn't.
Captive, I was forced, 
(or chose) to see.

I swam inside these dark clouds
searching for memories of the sun,
holding my breath as long as I could,
but I was drowning.

Then the clouds rained me gently
on firm ground before lifting
their veil, revealing the laughing sun.
I'm grateful for having witnessed darkness.
How else would I know it's real?
do something about it?
rather than be the fog that surrounds it.



Receding clouds.



(Submitted to Poets United.)






15 comments:

  1. Beautiful, Myrna...I especially love that you chose to see, and that you want to do something about what you saw, rather than stay in the dark. Love the contrast of the two photos, and the two states of mind. An awesome write.

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  2. i guess there are strange days upon us, this reflects my feelings as well.

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  3. I think that sometimes we need the darkness to see the light.. and to rain gently down is a great way to have a cushioned landing

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  4. Beautiful and powerful. And I love that the light has returned for you.

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  5. Excellent writing, Myrna. I do think there are periods in a person's life when they seem to spend a lot of time in storm clouds, and sometimes all one can do is take a look around....hoping there will be some kind of change in the 'weather' soon. I really like the way the clouds rain you gently. (Ha, at least it was not hail. Smiles.) And I like then that the darkness was then only a memory.

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  6. I love the hopeful message in the ending ~ But these lines struck me the most:

    There's a lot to see in darkness.
    Fear illuminates shadows.

    Lovely writing Myrna ~

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  7. I like the message too and that you were able to remember that there was once sun when your sky was overcast.
    Thank you for your nice comment about my dVerse prompt. I have also found myself trying and scratching my head, even when I liked the prompt, so I totally understand what you meant about trying but not coming up with something you liked enough to post.

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  8. Interesting write Myrna - with, as Grace says above, some lovely lines... With Best Wishes Scott www.scotthastie.com

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  9. ...the journey seems necessary for distinction
    both seemed enlighten. Good verse in your expression :-)
    ZQ

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  10. Without darkness we would not know true light..the poem has a visionary feel about it and makes me wonder..

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  11. I like the dramatic view from your house. As others have said you need the contrast to know the light.

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  12. "I swam inside these dark clouds
    searching for memories of the sun,
    holding my breath as long as I could,
    but I was drowning".........I'm living in this space literally at present...what with lightning, thunder, rain and water entering my home...ugh...nice poem Myrna...and LOVE the message...

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  13. there's a song that i love and it goes that without knowing darkness how could we treasure the light... without crying how would we enjoy laughing... i think it makes us stronger when we lived with those clouds for a bit..

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  14. Great poem. One cannot know the sun without the dark of night.

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