This is no lady

(in the grip of a storm)

On a day that's dull and dreary,
it's the fury of a windstorm
as it bellows out its anger,
as it whistles through the branches,
as it sets the brushwood swaying,
there is wailing, there is creaking
as what's left of winter's weeping
is swept far with bristle brushes
across a moaning, groaning sky.

When you rise to see the twisting
of the trees with limbs all thrashing
as they suffer where they're rooted,
as hard rain pretends its grieving
and the storm has barely started
you anticipate the danger
from this callous, mindless stranger,
while you question all his motives
with a suggestion he departs.

Yet he tells me his instruction
is in havoc and destruction.
He's important so he's showing
in a pique of vengeful discord,
that his strength lies in the blowing
and like skittkes down an alley,
he'll be downing them with laughter
after ripping slates from roofing
because he doesn't have a heart.

Reviews

[Intothemilkyway]

This is very beautiful Anne. Loved the part where he says he is important while he is not. And also where he doesn't have a heart. This poems shows very well your thoughts on the person, but in a very hidden way.
Here we have the tree and the big storm.
But im glad to know that in a storm , maybe big like this one you can free yourself from this heartless person.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear intothemilkywsy. So interesting to read where my lines took you. Always great to get the perspective from readers. I appreciate you.

Chris

[Fairy Khan]

Beautiful poem, beautiful thoughts, beautifully expressed.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Fairy, I appreciate your visit and thoughts. Pleased you checked this one out.

read moreThank you Fairy, I appreciate your visit and thoughts. Pleased you checked this one out.

Chris

[emmajoy]

Could leave my usual blather but, am learning, Chris.. so, will merely say: This is a magnificent, utterly visual, impressive and incredibly emotional poem. I'm in tears..'

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you for your generous review Em. Yes, this poem has layers and each reader will interpret in their own way. Appreciate your thoughts here.

Chris

[emmajoy]

Thank you, Chris, I knew you of all people, would understand. Empathic woman that you are.

Take care, tis time to prepare for Dennis now.
Sincerely wondering when this chill atmosphere will calm.. still, gives people something to talk about!! :)

[Lydia Shutter]

The storm as a callous stranger....it does seem that way at times. The scattered rhyme in this poem is enchanting. The words hide a fear of what will be. I have seen the reports of the terrible storm ripping through the Netherlands and the UK this week. Please stay safe. Great write. Lydi*

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lydi**. Still gusting, but not as troublesome as at the weekend. The damage has been done though. Many homes with structural damage and flooding. All safe with me though. I appreciate your thoughts and your visit.

Chris

[Pete Langley]

Huh, pretty hairy, wasn`t it? Reminded me of 1987, when we had 100mph winds in southern UK - I`d planted a 10 foot sapling silver birch the year before, that was bent flat to the ground. I straightened and staked it and now that tree is 40 feet and survived Ciara well.
Your poem is relentless, Chris - the cadence is maintained throughout, just like the gusts - and reminiscent of W H Auden`s Night Mail. Love it. P

[Chris Shaw]

I remember '87 well. The loss of trees in Kew Gardens, Seven Oaks and throughout the country was truly depressing. Well done you for saving your sapling. I have a silver birch which peeps into my bedroom window. Many thanks Pete for your review. Appreciated.

Chris

[Lorry]

And no wonder Chris, what with him being called Ciara, he was bound to be a grumpy sod throwing his toys out the pram.
At least we only hear those limbs creaking and cracking, if we could hear their screams, we would be driven insane by now. Well, more insane in some cases 😀
Yet come spring, buds and blooms will return and restore calm and the joy old Ma Nature can bring... Or should that be Pa? 😀

[Chris Shaw]

How true, we do call nature Ma, but yesterday's storm was a b.........Yes he was all the b....... 's I have come across. I was going to say with knobs on ha ha, I have still said it even though I hesitated. Hope your today is more peaceful Lorry and thanks for checking this one out. Blue sky here, much calmer as am I :))


Chris.

[Lorry]

Calmer, but still quite gusty, wet and some hail earlier. That yellow sky ball thing came out briefly, but saw what was going on and went back to bed.
Definitely had at least 18 seasons this morning. Just waiting on thunder and lightning for the full house 😀

[Chris Shaw]

You haven't mentioned snow, and I know that is on the cards where you are. . Blue here has gone grey, sun's gone off in a huff and there is more orrid stuff on its way!

[Lorry]

Was snowing a little but came to nothing. The hailstones were mental though, it was like the streets being covered in ball bearings. Roll on summer.

[Chris Shaw]

Now there's got to be a poem in mental hailstones like ball bearings rolling their way to summer lol

[Lorry]

Felt like a bloody weeble, i wobbled but didn't fall down 😀

[Chris Shaw]

:))..............

[.]

A wonderful poem, Christine!

As an avid fan of form poetry and perfectionism in its creation, i sure do appreciate the fluidity and uniformity of this poem. On a site where various forms are murdered at the altar of personal ego and for backslapping acclamations, your true form of poetry shines here like a beacon. Form can be so easy to write and beautiful to read if only its rules are adhered to and consistency is maintained. With this poem you have achieved this in spades.

Coming from someone who has just lived through severe fires and has now been subjected to wild storms and cyclonic winds, your theme certainly is relevant for me.

Kudos for this one. Very well done.

[Chris Shaw]

Aw Doodley, thank you for your very generous response. That coming from you, a master of form is really encouraging. I hope things are settling down for you now. Other things have taken over in the news. Yesterday it was all about the UK, and yes the storm inflicted much damage. Railway lines still blocked, flooding, but apart from a messy garden I didn't suffer much. All good wishes.

Chris

[Miss Sharon]

AWESOME! The beautiful, perfect 8 syllable meter in each line is captivating as well as the story contained within the words. So enjoyable to read. ~Sharon

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Sharon for your encouraging review. Really pleased you enjoyed the read and appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

I see you have done a poem in response and a beauty at that, full of tons of imagery
I can feel the chaos
You can feel the pelting rain as it hammers down with the wind screaming through the trees
Nicely done
Shopping day?

[Chris Shaw]

Ha Dave. Didn't stir from the house yesterday. Shopping done the day before the chaos. Pleased you enjoyed the read and thanks for checking in. Blue sky today. Lively trees but not manic.

Chris

[Dave Brown]

we saw all your excitement even over on our news channel
Storm of the century??
must have been fun

[Chris Shaw]

1987 I think was far worse. We lost hundreds of thousands of trees. I think this one was spread further afield, the whole UK was in the midst of it. Waiting for a full assessment but it has been devastating and the flooding awful. I think all of our rivers were on alert for flooding and many of them did just that. It was frightening. I reckon it's the second worse. Only garden damage here. Plants took a battering. No trees down near me.

[Dave Brown]

.........!!........

[jacob erin-cilberto]

they always refer to cars as "she"---the salesman...but i like the idea that the storm is really an angry gent...
your description is phenomenal here...i felt the storm...and am just glad you are okay and could write this in the aftermath...
i like the previous review as well...considering the allegory that could be here...
the "he" who thinks he is all powerful because he can control...damage if he likes...create havoc of the heart...
this is one of your best.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

I'm really pleased you liked this poem Jacob. I was so unsure about it and nearly didn't post. I reverted back to my old style of writing with this one. Thanks for your encouragement and generous remarks.

Chris