Norwester Ii

On wooded land and open water, the gale struck hard Plucking fallen twigs and flowers and leaves and the unwary bird Caught unawares, a family of cranes about five or six in number Took hastily to flight from an island and were hurled across the water Violently shaken from slumber, the trees awoke And as they swayed in frenzy, thick branches snapped and broke Still ignoring my instincts, I continued to walk But the fury of the storm made me inwardly baulk The greatest dangers posed were however man-made They were live power lines on poles, strung overhead And loose metal roofing of shanties rattling nearby Poised to ride the storm, razing as they would fly With heart pounding as the wind raged, I quickened my pace Half blinded and with hair tousled, as the dust stung my face I could see the rain as it approached, fast across the lake But despite the extended canopy above, I was soon dripping wet Whipped by the wind, the rain lashed hard My neighbourhood was deserted, not a soul stirred All had taken refuge – even the stray dogs and cattle As lightning flashed and thunder cracked and windows shuddered and rattled With wary eyes for falling debris, I walked the middle road Fearful of lightning strikes stabbing earth like a jagged sword In an alley, off the road, a glass pane fell and shattered As the relentless storm raged on, reaching home was all that mattered
Copyright © | Year Posted 2013

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