PARCHED EARTH

a drought....

PARCHED EARTH

 

Halcyon twilight

purple, orange hues stripe the atmosphere

with mysterious messages

passionate sky of wispy clouds propels gently

Acacia tree partially obscures sleepy sun

lone shadow image

cerebrates in solitude

hush only lips convey

creatures of the clod behold

 

Wearied mountains and valleys of demise

wilted weeds a devise of cracks

black earth parched and thirsty

the silhouette pleads for rain to her supreme spirits

all night beasts appeal to the Gods of creation

Author's Note

many African countries have had a drought for several years

Reviews

[Pete]

wow, i could feel the dry, thirsting heaviness of your well-chosen words and imagery as i read. a truly sad state that i fear is becoming all too common. well said, maybe a little too much so for sad heart ... :)

[Betty Hermelee]

Thanks Pete; it is very sad, and in our family!
Best, B

[willweb]

Where I live we have experienced a drought the past few years, we have had some rain but not much and due to this, I have lost many trees on my property. To hear them fall is a sad sound. I realize it is not as bad as some places, but still it is something we have faced. You can actually watch the ground crack here during the summer. Your poem brings this plight to view. Nicely done Betty

[Betty Hermelee]

You're welcome Will, much appreciated...
Best, B

[lightsong]

Ones of the richest countries yet they have no water or rain, or at least they couldn't supply lands with water yet... that's very sad, what's the meaning of pure gold if there is no air to breathe or water to grow?

[Betty Hermelee]

nice review, much appreciated!
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

We do need rain dear Betty. I went to the countries with the droughts in the nineties for President Clinton. Little can be done. I was a amazed some people could live a long life without the water available. Powerful and worthwhile thoughts shared dear friend.
Coyote

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you for an insightful review John...always appreciated
Best, B

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear Betty and you are welcome.

[Robert Trakofler]

One of the things in life I truly adore is the fresh scent of petrichor! I lived in the desert for a spell and did not like it very much it was pretty at times but give me an old-fashioned raindrop any day:) I cannot imagine what it would be like in Africa to survive and await the rainy season only to find it never arrives:( your lines however paint that scene in my mind rather vividly

[Betty Hermelee]

Africa is in big trouble…….decades of drought!
You’re. Very welcome Robert
Best, B

[W. Barrett Munn]

We seem to be in a rush to destroy the world and there are some who encourage this as a means to reach some fantasy of everlasting life. Thanks for pointing out the African abomination of desolation.

Winston

[Betty Hermelee]

thank you Winston for a fine review!
Best, B

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Gosh! I remember the several times we have experienced drought here in Virginia. It was dreadful. The earth was like cracked desert, the grass no longer green but rather shades of brown turned to dust. The rains are always a welcome guest.

[Betty Hermelee]

Thank you so much Linda Marie...much appreciated
Best, B

[Chris Shaw]

Your imagery here paints a stark picture of the droughts that African countries have to face. You brought a still life to me. Nothing flourishes without water, every living thing suffers and the heat can cause devastation to people and the animal kingdom alike. You describe the parched and cracked earth so well. Yes, there would be many prayers for rain. A great read Betty. Well done.

Chris

[Betty Hermelee]

Dearest Chris, you are too kind, but I so appreciate you review; it's stunning... and thank you so much!
Best, B

[Carlos Lorenzo Estrada]

For the past few years we here in California have experienced drought. Some parts have suffered irreparable damage due to wildfires. One town was literally erased from the map as it completely burned down entirely. Then about November into mid January we saw intense storms which caused flooding and massive mudslides. The town I live in was almost flooded which would have been devastating to the agriculture in this area. I could only imagine the destruction such drought has caused the continent of Africa. And the millions of people suffering daily because of what they endure due to climate change. A powerful poem that speaks to the times we live in, B.

[Betty Hermelee]

Dearest Carlos
Thank you for your riveting review.. it's greatly appreciated.... Best, B

[Dave Brown]

it seems, ranging from floods to drought and beyond, whatever we get, we increasingly get a destructive amount of
the future doesn't look especially promising
BESTB

[Betty Hermelee]

no it doesn't, too much of everything is overflow... blame it on climate change! Thank you dear Dave for an on spot review!
BESTB