Along With The Thunder

´ for : This or That Vol. 33 sponsor : Edward Ibeh submission date : 26/5/25 ___________ Along With The Thunder Along with the Thunder came Tempestas, goddess of storms turtle doves scattered on corrugated roof, grey feathers flying when glimpsing her fierce amber countenance this is time of rattling cracked panes loose screws when weather ruled, seemingly profane warmonger wind howls or laughs I know not which, my Being dwarfed by Boreas, serpents coiled at depth sombre matter ripples within sunken skull Sky summons Thor, roars for more Mist World blankets mournful Earth her elegant white swans flown from dearth here sits curdled milk coffee cold stir winter air, no honey bees are frozen heirloom scarlet quilt attempts to defrost feet no mean feat when butterflies flutter only in colouring books, muted with wax crayons Fire speaks as lightning bolt beats orange, crimson, magenta, violet flash crackle across a von Gogh sky his sunflowers buried deep ancient depression crawls upward from wet clay, dna spirals unraveling Maine coon cannot dream despite silken hair, purring on pause linearity becomes spherical with St.Michael holding bare black branch space Rain starts seeping under misaligned door stoep flooded, bridges collapsed roads become rivulet gullets, drains blocked children embryonic curl when school gates shut dumb numb they become, reflecting damp walls seasons our canvas to test our mettle Thunder intermittent acoustic drum Power where exactly does metallic mettle lie ? in cold flesh or darkened spine shadows which emerge to redden their hands at a deadened fireplace where ash is scattered, like cremated dust over a midnight sea hosting futile unsung tears spun, Rapunzel’s sobs undone will we go into temporary blues with storm goddesses, in teal temples trapezing become mysterious, mystical or magical hip-hop with winter’s wisdom, stamping to Zeus or Thor, perhaps Roman gods instead, call Christ consciousness, Mohammed, Peace be upon him and us surrendering human core to winter raw or… will we remain stuck in embedded co- dependent fear, amicability or polite gentility turn around, toss in bed, mask striking offerings of colour streaks across Sky pacifying persistent pain or drown in rain shine ? choice engraved into our mettle deep Thunder sent to pound it free Lightning flashes flare to trace letters deciphered Rain sleets lubricate human looms weaves away all gloom along with Thunder