I stood in the storm and swallowed the sky...

Tornado sirens sounded and I went outside to feel the sky wrap around me…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sirens, first low-humming

rising, shrieking strumming at the sky

white fire scream-streaking growing

burning through the atmosphere

come the drums of flame

fierce burning, rumbling, deep

trembling clouds hovering

dancing in slow-motion tremors

frantic feelings fade to sacred awe

in the crispness of the air

scented breezes thrust and rush

breathing over my skin

tasting electricity in the wind

the earth alive and moving

birds soft-still and silent

as rain flees Cheshire clouds in panic

I stood in the storm

and swallowed the sky…

Reviews

[emmajoy]

Oh my goodness- how the lack of punctuation flows and scream into wildness! You've captured the moments, the weather, the atmosphere, the terror, then, almost unbelievably described the gradual calm after the tornado, the settling, the slowing,'tasting electricity in the wind ~ the earth alive and moving'; then .. that last line, that gloriously vast last line, '.. and swallowed the sky...' A very different style from you but as fine as ever was. Great picture too, following your Alice theme, plus a relevant poem because of the weather in parts of your country.

Many thanks for sharing, Craig!

[MOON]

What a storm with your words and the calm after the storm... lovely

[patricia]

this is one for my library for sure...White fire scream-streaking growing, (my favourite line) every single line in this poem is absolutely magic. Thankyou.

[symmetryAsymmetry]

I've never experienced a tornado but I think this was close enough...
I don't know if it's a common phrase but I loved "white fire...atmosphere"
The adventure spirit, the need to experience doom...Awesome!
All of it also reminded me of a time when I was in huge trouble...that's how everything around me seemed to be moving...in a great whirl!

Loved it :-)

[Kristina Moulaison]

This is a wild ride culminating in a very satisfying end; a frantic flow that begs you to hold on and not breath until it is over.

[Stammers]

burning through the atmosphere
come the drums of flame

That has to be the best description of thunder and lightning. This is manic, fearless and feverishly defiant. You make some amazing movement. Fine creation.

[❀ Gabriela ..]

Simply breathtaking. I loved the vividness of this, I could nearly see the entire scene unfolding. Beautiful and surreal. Excellent poem.

[Wolf's Dark Song]

Very overwhelming and powerful storm imagery in this. The reader gets the wild sense of the raging storm and the force that meets it. Overall, I found this poem to be very impressive and well written. I read it several times just for the pure enjoyment your poem gave me. Great job!!!

[*** Hey Jude***]

I like the art you added, but it was not necessary to visualize this prose. The words you so carefully place give wonderful imagery that allows me feel this piece!
Always a wonderful read when I stop by! ~ Jude :-)

[Tim Lion]

Wow Craig.
This thing almost induced a panic attack. I really felt the entire episode, my senses lit up, couldn't stop reading even to catch my breath. That brewing storm seems as much on the inside as the outside. And swallowing the sky brings it all internal in the end. It felt like someone saying, "this is my storm, I'll eat it to save the rest of you." Like when everything is falling down, but, we swallow it down, rather than to unleash it on the ones we love. Not sure if that's what you meant, but that's what I got...and it is beautiful.

Really very beautiful.
t

[Rae Elizabeth]

I'm in complete awe of this peice... Beautiful