better off wet

something that occurred to me

the sky was foreboding
grey and hot,
the stale air swirled,
beckoning tornadoes to
the edge of unhappiness.
I ran to a grove, taking refuge
from the storm.
I remembered
the story from
when I was young.
a mother sheltering her
babes from lightning
under the big tree over by
the cemetery --
and suddenly the family
of three was only one.
and I decided it was better
to be wet than dead.

Reviews

[Madalyn Beck]

This is powerful. I love how you have it penned and truly, can be taken in different ways. We remember others pains and take them into consideration when in our own personal storms. Beautiful write! xo :)

[Lyn Anderson]

For sure, sometimes real life and metaphors can tell us a lot about how we live our lives.

[Ruth]

Wow, sheer impact - yes, it is better and this poem is intense and shocking, your usual belter of a finale x

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks so much. I never really realized how much I like to do that till I came here.:)

[David Scott]

Not funny. Too true.
My daughter was struck by lightning and we are lucky she is alive.
Really messed up her brain... A few very tough years.
Lightning is so common and so very dangerous.

[Lyn Anderson]

It is in fact a true story from my childhood, and also a metaphor as well. I have a friend who was struck as well, and know the difficult road to recovery.

[Frieda P]

That ending, quite the impact, but you always do!

[Lyn Anderson]

the bang at the end -- that's my signature, I guess. :)

[Frieda P]

Ha I was gonna say something but I'll pass ;-P

[Lyn Anderson]

I was baiting you, c'mon ...

[ron]

Great poem as always KL.
Sometimes the choices we make are for the best in the long run.
Sometimes the ones we love don't see that.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. And the story really is one that I heard as a little girl. I always stay out in the open in storms.

[ron]

Good advise.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

good thought...nice allegory....

we can stay dry under a tree and be struck by lightning....we can hide from love and life to shelter ourselves and it could be even more catastrophic than taking chances.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks so much. I appreciate that

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Wow that poem leave you with a lot to ponder, sometimes we have to make choices we don't want to save our lives.

[Lyn Anderson]

Bingo. That is the message. Walk in the rain, live in the light.