Gods of Winds

Notus comes creeping furtively from the south
hot and bothered from the blazing summer sun.
The wind of change...concealed it launches sudden storms
as clouds pile up across the sky, dark and towering,
lightning flashes, thunder drawls, torrential rain descends;
rivers swell to bursting point; fields are swamped, crops destroyed. 
Then once again he sneaks away, planning his next move.

His neighbour, Eurus, wants to show he’s no less able.
Bearing his inverted earthen vase he goes along
clumsy in gait and spilling water on dry soil.
His forays from the east tend to be unlucky.

Autumn fades with a sigh on Aura’s gentle wings
as ice-cold winter rushes in impatiently 
from northern frozen lands to take its place 
goaded by the domineering force of Boreas
who moves ahead with strong, intense authority, 
his violent temper uncontrolled. Despite his age
he pushes his galloping stallion to the limit 
riding forth relentlessly, cloak billowing behind,
his white beard curled; shaggy hair spiked and frosted.
Roaring, across the land he speeds with utmost haste, 
a sacred conch shell grasped firmly in steely hand;
tremendous power he exerts and blows aloud
while humans cower in dark caverns, shivering.
They know his moods and fear his devastating wrath. 
In their minds, princess Oreithyia’s forced abduction,
rape, and carnal satisfaction are still fresh.

They yearn for winter’s bitter ally to move on
so that the gentle Zephyr enters from the west 
bringing with him rainbows and showers of spring,
calm serenity, greenery, flowers, shades and hues, 
romantic feelings, fiery passion and intense love.

Ultimately, all four have to heed and appease 
King Aeolus, firm ruler and keeper of the winds.

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*Aura = breeze goddess
*Oreithyia = mountain Nymph
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18th December 2014
Contest: Gods of Winds
Sponsor: Shadow Hamilton
Placed: 2nd
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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Courtney Avatar
January 17, 2015 at 9:42 PM
nice to read your works hope the best for you and yours
Callus Avatar
January 18, 2015 at 1:18 PM
Many thanks Ruth; I'm pleased that you have enjoyed reading some of my poems. Take care. // paul
Adams Avatar
January 12, 2015 at 9:24 AM
Well Penned, Paul. Great imagery. Even better on the second reading.
Callus Avatar
January 12, 2015 at 11:12 AM
I'm pleased that you found this to your liking, Cona! Thank you for stopping by. // paul
Smith Avatar
January 4, 2015 at 8:50 AM
I am faving this one, dear friend.. Congrats on a great win.. SO love all the imagery here!! Will read again and again.. Hugs.. Arlene
Callus Avatar
January 4, 2015 at 10:59 AM
Many thanks Arlene...both for the fav and the lovely comments; you are too kind! Take care. hugs // paul
Mehta Avatar
January 3, 2015 at 6:37 AM
Interesting write on the mythological wind god, congrats on the win, Paul
Callus Avatar
January 3, 2015 at 8:18 AM
Once again, thank you Dr! // paul
A   Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 11:42 PM
Paul, Congrats on your win... Linda :
Callus Avatar
January 3, 2015 at 8:19 AM
Thank you Linda; am enjoying your visits...good to have you back:) // paul
Stoner Jr Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 7:26 PM
way to go Paul big investment for a good return well done, congratulations
Callus Avatar
January 3, 2015 at 8:30 AM
Thank you Robert!....it was a big investment...I usually go for short writes:) // paul
Haight Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 2:17 PM
Paul, congratulations on your win for this outstanding poem! I enjoyed your very descriptive write to learn about so many different gods of win! Sandra
Callus Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 2:42 PM
Thank you Sandra...you did pretty well yourself....showed you took this contest very seriously. Take care. // paul
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 1:04 PM
Well done Paul and many congrats and best wishes xx
Callus Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 2:43 PM
Thank you Mandy...very pleased to be sharing 2nd place with you! All the best! // paul
Allison Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 11:10 AM
note to self try serious not humourous next time - dropping back with my congrats Paul:-) Hugs jan xxx
Callus Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 2:47 PM
Thank you Jan...you are as supportive as ever; sorry that humour was not rewarded this time round:( Hugs // paul
May Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 9:39 AM
Congrats on a great win Paul.... best wishes for the New Year...
Callus Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 2:29 PM
Thank you Joseph; very much enjoyed your poem. All the best. // paul
Mehta Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 6:19 AM
Congrats on the win and wish you all the best of 2015,
Callus Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 2:53 PM
Thank you Dr. You have done very well yourself today! It's evident that 2015 has welcomed you with smiling eyes! All the best. // paul
Kayode Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 4:26 AM
Another pointer to your excellence, congrats Paul....huggs
Callus Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 2:49 PM
Thank you Kayode! Praise goes to you today for running off with all opposition:) Hugs // paul
Hamilton Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 2:32 AM
congrats on 2nd Paul love the imagery well researched ty for your support hugs
Callus Avatar
January 2, 2015 at 1:59 PM
Thank you Shadow for the high placing; I enjoyed the challenge! I wish you all the best for 2015. Take care. Hugs // paul
Deschler Avatar
December 25, 2014 at 5:23 PM
These descriptions are just as powerful and beautiful as the winds themselves can be... I was "blown away" by this excellent write! It should place very well. Good luck to you, Paul!... I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
Callus Avatar
December 25, 2014 at 5:56 PM
Hi Kelly! Thank you for the lovely comments and wishes. Enjoyed your pun, too:) Hope you're keeping well, and that your Christmas has been a merry one; wish you also all the best for the new year. // paul
Yvonne Avatar
December 23, 2014 at 3:49 PM
I am with Andrea, I have always said you are a brilliant writer and this is one of your works that proves it. What I love most about your work is how you use the English language to communicate and not to confuse. This is exactly what writting should be, well written, great grammar great vocabulary without searching for words understood only by academics that do nothing other than study words. This a number one winner and A fav for me.
Callus Avatar
December 24, 2014 at 7:53 AM
Thank you Maurice...you are too kind! We all do our best to put on paper what we feel inside of us; maybe we are not always successful, but the good intentions are ever present. You and many others do a great job, and that is what keeps us all here doing something that we like and share. Thank you for the faith you show in this entry and for the fav. Have a lovely Christmas. // paul
Trifiatis Avatar
December 22, 2014 at 2:07 AM
You have animated the winds to such a degree that I felt their presence dear, Paul! I am happy Greek mythology is portrayed here with such splendor and I have to comment you for not forgetting the ruler of the winds: Old Aeolus! Excellent work! Good luck!
Callus Avatar
December 22, 2014 at 8:49 AM
Your insightful comments are much appreciated, Demi. I am pleased that I did not disappoint by treading into the field of Greek mythology! Thank you for another encouraging visit. May you enjoy Christmas, and may the new year be a positive one for you, my friend. // paul
Guillermo - Fraser Avatar
December 22, 2014 at 12:35 AM
wow!! you took my breath away with this write especially the first paragraph... powerful verse!! plus the awesome imagery.. :)
Callus Avatar
December 22, 2014 at 8:53 AM
Hi dear Olive_eloi!:) Thank you for the lovely reaction to this poem! I hope you are keeping well and active. Be happy and God bless you. :) hugs // paul
Kendrick Avatar
December 21, 2014 at 1:51 PM
Enjoyed reading your contest entry..Reads like winning material to me..Thanks for the visit to my blog..Sara
Callus Avatar
December 21, 2014 at 2:55 PM
So pleased you found this poem to your liking, Sara. Thank you; hope you had a nice weekend. // paul
Kayode Avatar
December 21, 2014 at 10:41 AM
Merry Christmas Paul and goodluck in the contest...huggs
Callus Avatar
December 21, 2014 at 3:08 PM
Merry Christmas to you too...and thank you for stopping by. hugs // paul
Dietrich Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 1:53 PM
wow, Paul you NAILED this one. You did exactly what the judge of this contest called for and I think you deserve the first place. Hope it scores high!! a fave.
Callus Avatar
December 21, 2014 at 6:54 AM
Wow Andrea...you are too kind! I am pleased that you like it...I rely on your observations, as you well know. I read your entry, too, and I enjoyed your lovely sonnet. Tried to comment, but my comment just did not want to go through! Have a nice day. // paul
May Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 11:35 AM
Wow...Excellent write Paul.....the best one I've seen...a 7 for sure.....
Callus Avatar
December 21, 2014 at 6:49 AM
Thank you for your 'excellent' comment, Joseph...much appreciated. // paul
Andresen Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 7:56 AM
- Hey Paul, great written !!! - (7+++) - Luck in contest !! - .... a Christmas smile to you :) - I wish you and your family a peaceful and lovely Christmas -
Callus Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 8:50 AM
Thank you dear Anne Lise! So lovely to have you visiting today! May you and your loved ones be happy in this joyous season and throughout the new year. Hugs /x/ paul
Tams The Golden Girl Avatar
December 19, 2014 at 8:54 AM
Excellentt write Paul, may the winds take you to number one and thanks for the lovely comment xx
Callus Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 5:25 AM
Thank you Mandy...you're very kind! Hope you're having a lovely festive season. / paul
Dunn Avatar
December 18, 2014 at 7:42 PM
Paul, This is totally a powerful write I enjoyed the whole thing from start to finish, great job my friend, and thanks for the comment on my mystic dove I hope she enjoys it as much as you did my friend, Happy Hoildays my friend to you and yours, cheri
Callus Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 5:31 AM
I was hoping that you'd read this one; I know it's somewhat up your street! My daughter and granddaughter start their school holidays on Tuesday; already have lots planned for the holidays. Take care and God bless. // paul
Meade Avatar
December 18, 2014 at 4:21 PM
Outstanding!! Love the texture, the power, and intensity of the wind storms. May you always find warm winds to guide you.
Callus Avatar
December 20, 2014 at 5:35 AM
Oh thank you David! Lovely comments. Boreas was the ideal character to write about; perhaps that's why his contribution comes out in a more intense manner. Hope you have a nice weekend. // paul
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