James Fraser Poet Quatrain

Gradually

We waited many years the few of us that are left
In our minds we couldn't imagine the surface on our earth so reft
What we knew before we will never know again
That man can be so destructive, and no one ever gains

Slowly we start to climb the steps to a world we knew
What element of view awaits as we step into anew
The sealed doors to our mountain safe-way creak against the quiet
Our hearts beat in-trepidation as we await their impending riot

Through the door we go into a landscape we read about in books
Do we appreciate what we have survived, so alive to be able to look
We look out across the valley once lush like a carpet of greens
What we see before us we knew as out of this world martian scenes

The town that we knew and loved has disappeared from view
Now replaced by open sores as they spill their molten spew
The sun is but a blur through a darkened dusty haze
What little oxygen presents, appears to fuel this fiery display

As we head down towards where our town was, very little of it remains
Collapsed and buried buildings our view is now en-grained
Skeletal metal frames as if molded by a sculptor's torch
Rocks melted into a glaze, by the bombs inevitable scorch

Many miles we now have walked through our barren radiated lands
Was it to be from the dawn of time that this moment was in our plans
As we head back to our mountain safe-way, looking back down our valley
It will be many many years, like it was, but we'll get there gradually









http://www.thehighlanderspoems.com/fantasy-18.php

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Gert W. Knop January 20, 2011 at 7:23 AM Skilly write, James! Enjoyed the read of your so well penned poem! Have a braw time, dear Highlander! And thank you for your kind comment!...Gert

Carolyn Devonshire January 17, 2011 at 12:49 PM After an apocalypse the scenes you describe could very well be accurate descriptions, James. I would hate to be alive if and when this happens, but at least you left a few survivors to replenish and rebuild in the last verse. This is science fiction at its finest and a favorite for me, Highlander. Love, Carolyn

Linda Milgate January 16, 2011 at 10:30 AM Very powerfu poem and subject. Liked the rhythm also. Philip Wylie book from years ago. Worked for the government, they do have those mountain sites.

Francine Roberts January 16, 2011 at 9:59 AM wonderfully written, lets hope not too prophetic though

John Freeman January 16, 2011 at 9:21 AM Only bits and pieces of what was James! Thanks for your gracious comment. I'm of the american native descent myself, so in a way I guess I was defending that. Smile. Agape, Moses

James Peranteau January 16, 2011 at 9:09 AM And you from time to time rant of mine writes !!! Here is true essence of 'klore ! Great write dear poet ! much love, james *fol=a following 'klore= a legened; tradition

Sara Kendrick January 16, 2011 at 8:43 AM Very good rhythm and rhyme..Got my attention and drew me in..I am glad that I chose this one today...Looking forward to that Bar-be-que with that special sauce..Sara

Wilma Neels January 16, 2011 at 8:19 AM Gradually is sometimes all we have to look forward too.. You have orbed me into another dimension with this write, stunning imagery once again ;)

Carrie Richards January 16, 2011 at 8:14 AM Well done, James....the decriptions here are stunning. I remember the episode of Twilight Zone, that Robert mentions in his comment below....a gripping story, just as your poem suggests. Well done!

Robert Pettit January 16, 2011 at 7:52 AM Time enough at last. Your description of a post-apocalyptic world reminds me of Burgess Meredith climbing out of the bank vault so he can finally read all of his books. You have good descriptiveness and rhyming in this presentation.