Mary Kate Marozas | + Follow Poet |
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The Storm of the Decade

The storm of the decade
The news declared.
Snow fall was heavy and deep.
Schools closed their doors
And the snow beckoned me. 

There is such a beauty 
When the world first turns white.
Snow on the branches 
Drifts deep and high.
The world stops its chaos
and breathes a peaceful sigh.

I pulled on my boots
My coat, gloves and hat
Out into the frosted world I ran.

Heaving plows were fighting back.
Pushing snow off the roads.
The rhythmic sound of many shovels
Would clean off the snow.

For one precious moment
There was white all around.
A stillness, a quiet, as I walked toward town.

Then I saw him,
An old man, 
Walking barefoot down the road,
Ragged and torn,
His head bent in sorrow
Eyes filled with pain.
Leaving naked footprints as he walked.	

The sight of the man’s tears
Marked on his unwashed face
Disturbed me, 
distressed me
Shockingly, somehow changed my perception of time.
Shattering my illusion of beauty all around.

I wondered at the wounds
That had broken the man
Why was he walking unprepared for the cold?

We passed without speaking
The moment was lost.
I’d rendered no comfort, no warmth
No care for his wounds.
He had cast a quick glance,
Then continued on his way.

Spring came early that same year.
The image of such need lingers still,
Haunting my memory.



John 21:15-17, ESV
“15When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?' Peter said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my lambs' (John 21:15, ESV).
“16He said to him a second time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter said to him, 'Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.'  He said to him, 'Tend my sheep' (John 21:16, ESV).
“17Jesus said to Peter the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.'  Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep'” (John 21:17, ESV). (Graham, 2015) 
This conversation took place at Tiberius (lake Galilee), after Jesus had risen from the dead. Peter and other disciples were fishing. Jesus appeared, caused their nets to be filled, and invited them to add some fish to the breakfast he was cooking.

Copyright © Mary Kate Marozas | Year Posted 2021

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Beata Agustin Date: 8/15/2023 7:27:00 AM Thanks for sharing this... exposing your thoughts on "The Storm of the decade" through your unique poetic style. Meanwhile, I greet you with the love of the Lord, expressed by John 3:16 of the Bible, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Be blessed. Login to Reply

Kim Rodrigues Date: 7/12/2021 5:16:00 PM Wow, Mary! Is this a true story? Login to Reply Mary Kate Marozas Date: 7/13/2021 2:13:00 PM Thank you, Kim. Yes, the story is true, however, it blends two different events into one story. When I finished writing it I found it almost too disturbing to read it myself. It was so dark and gritty that I scared myself. I wondered where all this grit comes from? All of my writing usually comes out of my life experiences. You are a very prolific writer. You really know this stuff. I am an amature though I have been writing for 62 years.