What the Wind Is Doing

It's rocking an empty flowerpot perched
in a pine tree:  'RockABye Baby in the High Top,'
its contents shell shocked in this February 
of zero wind chill.  It's the heart's empty nest,  
cold ripple of a lake that threatens to overtake, 
were it not for higher ground. We've wind
from the northeast, sharp and heartless, 

harbinger of storms, but I am Barrier Island, 
formed by one who taught me by salt, sea-
shell, and the sting of sand, bitter winter spray 
in remembered summer. Land bound, 
one learns to light where something shores us.  
So here am I , despite trade winds, the Skull
and Bones of picturesque pirates, failed 
story tales where even the wind lies. 

In the lake one small duck, sustained by 
its currents paddles my direction, drawn 
by intuition or design of a kindred spirit who 
would sail, dive with delight, endure 
the cold solitude of seagulls at evening, 
seeking harbor far from their ocean.  
They are white flags signaling Yes, 
You will find your heaven.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2009

Poem

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 Avatar
September 27, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Interesting reflection. Good use of imagery. Congratulations on making it through the first round in the contest. Good luck in the finals! Karen
Brown Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Congratulations on your poem making it through the first round Nola.Wishing you the best in the finals. Love, Carol
Devonshire Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 1:26 PM
Dear Nola, Congratulations on getting through the first round of the poetry contest with your great verse! Luck and love, Carolyn
Fraser Avatar
September 24, 2009 at 12:30 PM
Nola, congratulations in getting past round one of the competition >> James
Austin Avatar
September 23, 2009 at 6:41 AM
"It's the heart's empty nest." Yes! Congrats on this selection my dear friend. B IG LOVE, daver
George   Avatar
September 23, 2009 at 6:32 AM
one learns to light where something shores us. Love this line. congratulations on this well deserved feature of the week. Lainie
Moreno Avatar
September 22, 2009 at 7:56 PM
Nola, congrats on your feature this week...Raul
Fraser Avatar
September 22, 2009 at 6:39 AM
Congratulations on your wonderful poetry being featured this week Nola >>James
Mckenzie Avatar
September 21, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Congratulations on your featured poem! Laura :)
Adeite Avatar
September 21, 2009 at 6:11 AM
wonderfull... this is going to my favourite for further reading. Congrats on your poetry being featured this week… please keep writing… great you Nola! Adeleke
Brown Avatar
September 21, 2009 at 3:12 AM
Congratulations on your well deserved poetry being featured this week Nola. Love, Carol
Caliri Avatar
March 29, 2009 at 2:01 PM
"Land bound, one learns to light where something shores you. So I am here, despite trade winds, the Skull & Bones of picturesque pirates, failed story tales in which even the wind lies..." This piece of writing, in my mind, put your poetry into a whole other gear...
Austin Avatar
February 21, 2009 at 9:48 AM
My God, Nola, everyone should be reading you! I'm the kind who searches high and low for talent. You got it, kid! I love the sea gull ending, sea gulls being my favorite birds. They are the complete bird....swim or fly, equally at home. Cold solitude, yes. LOve, daver
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