John Fleming Poet Rhyme

Approaching Storm

Skulking between the thinning clumps 
Of tattered sedge
A balding coot despondently calls,
Scratching Blackbirds scutter deeply 
Into a Hawthorn hedge;
Whilst, creeping stealthily,
Gathering darkness onwardly crawls.

The blackened Moorhen washes the clinging
Soot from his feathered form,
Rising above the mirrored pond in awkward 
flight.
Gathering clouds mumble softly of an 
Impending storm,
When, silently menacing, inwards marches 
The approaching night.

Listening intently, between murmurs upon
A breeze,
I  check my step and briefly pause -
To catch a low sigh whispered from among
The sullen trees...
A last desperate plead of their lost cause.

For now billowing cumulonimbus sags 
And begs to stall,
As, slowly homeward bound, I gather 
About me to hastily make;
Where, circling high in rushing element,
The ragged Buzzard begins to fall...

Upon Heavens gathered Furies -
That so conspire to thunderously break!

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Susan Ashley January 8, 2018 at 7:04 PM John, your captivating write wears the feelings of an approaching storm excellently with your vivid and artistically expressed imagery and gorgeous content. I just love a good storm, all kinds, and I love your poem. The sense of foreboding you create is dramatic and elegantly done. An impressive and stunning write.. Please feel free to read my weather write 'Nature's Wild Child' if you haven't already. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan John Fleming January 14, 2018 at 2:21 AM Thank you, Susan; and yes I will take a look at your poem. My very best regards as always - cheers! :) john

Patricia Cresswell September 23, 2017 at 8:37 PM Mmmmm sitting on my front porch watching this storm approach is a marvellous play of tensions both atmospheric and emotional. Thank you. John Fleming October 1, 2017 at 4:14 PM Nothing quite as enthralling as an approaching storm; and the sudden way it breaks into an almighty crescendo - marvelously exciting! Who does not love a good storm? :) john

Rainbow Promise June 5, 2016 at 6:16 AM I have read all of your poems under "Best Poems by..." and I loved them all. Your choice of words and the creative artful way in which you coin them, impressed me. I get to do so by a fluke, I guess according to how the deep thoughts within operate at the moment. A 7 and fav. Thanks for commenting on my page. God bless, RP. John Fleming June 6, 2016 at 10:33 AM Hello, R.B Promise. Always good to reacquaint myself with an old face; you are very much welcome here! Many thanks for calling in...And thank you for your kind and generous comments - Very much appreciated! My very best regards. :) john

Matt Caliri February 14, 2016 at 3:54 PM I love "the sullen trees." I was hooked from the first line, and you executed masterfully throughout. Nice work! John Fleming February 15, 2016 at 8:40 AM Thank you, Matt, for your visit and kind comments. Very pleased to make your acquaintance! All the very best, Matt! :) john

Gawaine Ross July 14, 2015 at 8:23 AM Interesting poem, John. It reminds me somewhat of "To a Waterfowl" by William Cullen Bryant. Keep writing! John Fleming July 14, 2015 at 12:17 PM Many thanks for the kind remarks, Gawaine - Much appreciated! I have not read this poem you mention before so I will look it up. Cheers, and...best regards! :) john

Shadow Hamilton April 16, 2015 at 9:21 AM fantastic pen John stunning imagery ty for visiting my page hugs 7 John Fleming April 18, 2015 at 1:15 AM Hi, Shadow. Good to see you visiting again. Thanks for the generous comments! My very best regards!! :) john.

Cynthia Jones March 23, 2015 at 5:35 PM John, this is an excellent write my friend. Well done. :O) Keep up with the great work. Keep on penning. Thank you so very much for sharing your wonderful and creative talents with us. We all truly appreciate it. A 7 from me. *S* Cynthia Cynthia Jones April 6, 2015 at 6:57 PM Hello John. :O) Why wouldn't I visit? Everything is going good. Still posting. :O) *S* Cynthia John Fleming March 24, 2015 at 1:14 PM Hi, Cynthia. Its really nice to see you visiting once more. I hope everything is going fine for you. My very best regards!! :) john.

Julia Ward February 22, 2015 at 1:18 PM I admire your breadth of vision for the natural world, john. Hugs, Alicia, xx John Fleming February 24, 2015 at 12:36 PM Thank you, Alicia! I regard your comment as a very fine compliment! :) john.

Paul Schneiter February 20, 2015 at 7:32 AM John, this magnificent poem captures natural phenomena with exceptional power. And the words—they are classic. A first-rate write, no question about it. Kudos! John Fleming February 20, 2015 at 2:17 PM Paul, you are very kind...Thank you so much for your most generous comments! I can assure you: they are very much appreciated!! Best regards! :) john.

Liam Mcdaid January 13, 2015 at 8:49 AM excellent pen john wishing you a happy year John Fleming January 13, 2015 at 9:42 AM Thank you, liam! May I also wish you a good year too...cheers!! :-) john.

Kelly Deschler January 13, 2015 at 12:47 AM The blackbirds do seem to gather and fly awkwardly before an approaching thunderstorm, as if to warn us all... Your poem takes me back to those balmy summer evenings. An amazing write, John! It is a favorite one for me! John Fleming January 13, 2015 at 1:46 AM Thanks for your very kind comments, Kelly! Its nice to see you paying me a visit. I hope you are keeping well. My very best regards! :-) john.

John Fleming January 10, 2015 at 2:14 PM Thank you, Herbert, for your kind remarks! I am very pleased to make your acquaintance! :) john.

Herbert Siao January 10, 2015 at 1:55 PM I Love the title and when I goes into a poem itself I even Love it more john. Hope to read more of your works.

James Fraser January 8, 2015 at 1:45 PM Poetry at it's best 'John Fleming' loved it - James :) John Fleming January 8, 2015 at 11:46 PM Thank you for your kind comments, Fraser! :-) john.

Charmaine Chircop January 4, 2015 at 3:31 PM Im glad my fimgertips led me here..Outstanding poem ! John Fleming January 5, 2015 at 11:26 AM Thank you, Charmaine! Your appreciation is very much valued!! :) john.

John Fleming January 4, 2015 at 9:17 AM Thank you, Olive. I will read your poem right this minute. :) john.

Olive Eloisa Guillermo - Fraser January 4, 2015 at 6:20 AM what a way to describe the storm approaching.. :)! I have a poem which is with the same theme. :) Storms is the title.. :)! God bless you! John Fleming January 5, 2015 at 11:24 AM I read your "Storms" poem, Olive. It was a great read; very enjoyable!! Many thanks! :) john.

Robert Lindley January 3, 2015 at 6:41 PM Wish to give this a ten but A7 must do. Adding this gem to my fav list.. A very deep and inspirational poem my friend. One I wish to read and study in the coming weeks!! Thanks John Fleming January 4, 2015 at 12:55 AM Only too pleased you enjoyed reading it, Robert. Please feel free to study and critique at your leisure. Any suggestions or advice on any of my poems is always welcomed. Many thanks! :) john.

Debra Squyres January 3, 2015 at 3:42 PM I could feel this building up with each verse read... your imagery captivating my senses. Marvelous !! John Fleming January 3, 2015 at 4:06 PM Thank you, Debra! Your kind words are greatly appreciated!! :) john.

Solomon Itsoghole December 29, 2014 at 12:36 AM Nice imagery...visually descriptive, a good piece! John Fleming December 29, 2014 at 6:57 AM Thank you, Itsoghole! Your kind words are very much appreciated. ..cheers!! :-) John.

M. L. Kiser December 27, 2014 at 3:57 PM I can feel the approaching storm, as it rages towards me. Wonderfully written. John Fleming December 27, 2014 at 4:06 PM Many thanks; your comments are most kind. :) john.

S.Zaynab Kamoonpuri December 26, 2014 at 1:53 PM Hi, im not a mr. Im a lady poetess. Yor rhyme scheme is awesome here and the brewing storm metaphor and imagery so poetic and fabulous eh. I admired the terminology too. Cheers. John Fleming December 26, 2014 at 2:45 PM My most profound apologies, Madam!! Allow me to say "thank you" for your very kind comments. :) john.

Pandita Sietesantos December 26, 2014 at 6:48 AM John, the imagery is outstanding in this excellent piece. I can see and feel that storm brewing and getting ready to bring about havoc! If you haven't already done so, please check out mine called "Storms." Warmest regards, Pandita. John Fleming December 26, 2014 at 3:51 PM beg your pardon..."Storms"! The perils of being distracted whilst you type...sorry, Pandita. :) john. John Fleming December 26, 2014 at 9:41 AM Hi, Pandita. Thank you for your kind remarks; most appreciated! I have viewed your poem "streams"...An excellent write! I really enjoyed the read. :) john.

Andrea Dietrich December 26, 2014 at 1:07 AM Your poetry just resonates with SMARTNESS. (if I can use that word). The way you play with sound and meaning. So eloquent. Great poem! John Fleming December 26, 2014 at 1:30 AM Thank you, Andrea. Allow me to convey my very best seasonal greetings to you. Hope your having an enjoyable Christmas...cheers! :) john.

Sara Kendrick December 25, 2014 at 5:06 PM It is always interesting to me to watch buzzards soar when upper currents are very active sometimes just before a storm or the first part of a storm..You have conveyed the idea very well..I enjoyed reading your work..Thanks for stopping by my work "Black"..My parents believe and I believe in life after parting from this life upon earth..I don't know if my sister(adoptive) was still a baby in heaven or if she had grown up ..I don't know about those things but she was there to greet mom and dad.SK John Fleming December 26, 2014 at 12:55 AM I believe that the universe created sentient life so it could wonder about itself. we are all part of a single universal "consciousness". when our bodies die this immortal "consciousness" will experience life once more; perhaps through strange alien eyes: on some strange alien planet, under alien skies, far away on the other side of the great glowing cosmos. We are born knowing only death, but, we are all purposefully deceived so as to protect ourselves from ourselves; for the truth is: there can be no true death - only life!!! :) john.

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