Turbulence

Take long walks in stormy weather or through deep snows in the fields and woods, if you would keep your spirits up. Deal with brute nature. Be cold and hungry and weary. - Thoreau

clouds gather in a meteorological quorum

a hung jury of unequivocal, harsh truth

i always knew that the storm would come

without doubt

i knew

a seeming eternity in duration

a twister of epic proportion

lightning like lasers

thunder rattling into tomorrow

liberating life and chasing sorrow

flipping foundations upside down

narrow smile to wide frown

pistons of pleurisy firing

burning like faulty wiring

life's bipolar lollipop sucked down to the stick

releasing inhibitions

freeing lost inhabitants

a molestation at midnight

a rape of reason

an unprecedented, overripe season

finally allowing me to be who i'm supposed to be

turning destiny''s rusty, hidden key

kicking and screaming

unmitigated, subconscious dreaming

religion can't hold a candle to a new day

as light as a feather, god's crusading way

swings were made to sway

it's okay

there's nowhere left to hide anyway

Author's Note

“For many years I was self-appointed inspector of snow-storms and rain-storms, and did my duty faithfully; surveyor, if not of highways, then of forest paths and all across-lot routes, keeping them open, and ravines bridged and passable at all seasons, where the public heel had testified to their utility.” - Thoreau

Reviews

[R.E. Ray]

Pete, this is certainly more than the cliche, "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger." Dang, the imagery in this poem is overwhelming. I can feel the crushing pressure, coldness, blackness, the howl of despair. Then, there's the new day, dawn, what we might call hope, maybe redemption. Sometimes, when we've prayed and prayed and we believe we've been left alone in the storm, the dawn becomes our faith. The whole package works here, from the image to music. You've extended Henry into the 21st century, Pete!

[Pete]

wow. couldn't possibly have described it any better. you've dared to go below the surface and let it carry you where it would like that storm. nothing cooler than when a reader feels what you feel. much appreciated ... :)

[R.E. Ray]

Always a pleasure, Pete. I think I get most of what you write. Must be that Thoreau and Emerson thing. :)

[Ken Simm.]

Excellent sometimes Thoreauesqe imagery to satrt with then becoming far more surreal and yet thoughtful. I love certain concepts in this like Bipolar lollipops.
Clearing the snow from our memories with our experience.

[Pete]

thank you kind sir. things are ever changing around us and we must adapt to complete our journeys. no one ever promised an easy trip. thanks again ... :)

[Nicole]

It's dark and rainy here this evening and I've lost a friend or two. Those last 3 lines have caught me up like a fish in a net. It's terrifying to let go of what little control we think we have and let life be life. Weathering the storm though...it's all we can do. Thank you for sharing your soul here....it's wonderful

[Pete]

thanks for sharing feelings on the matter nicole. you're so right - we think we're driving but we're really just a passenger. all we can do is ride out the storms ... :)

[duff]

I enjoy writing with multiple layers and this definitely has that. Nature reminds us of how small we are. Almost in embarrassing fashion we are reminded. Nature kicks us to check your ego at the door. We are not in control. Even in the worst we are never alone. Out of a violent reckoning something beautiful can emerge. I really like this.

[Pete]

thank you duff. things certainly can get rough. always remember to fasten your seat belt and put your tray in the upright position ... :)

[Patricia Wedel]

I feel the feathery touch as I read your poetry.
This Pandemic has given us a reason to look deeper...
to care more. There are times when Politics are not
Perfect in either Party... but we have to weigh the pro's and con's.
It is a mystery that we do not have a better opportunity to
change what needs to be changed. For one Person(s) acting as an Entity
is not working as it should.... very complicated. I do appreciate your
words, "finally allowing me to be who I am supposed to be --
turning destiny's rusty, hidden key". It is peaceful to quote Thoreau...
Nature can cause a Turbulence... that humbles our greatest endeavors.
Be blessed and safe. gently, Pat

[Pete]

thank you pat. appreciate you sharing thoughts on the matter. yes, all is a give and take - must find the reasonable yet suitable middle ground - though not an easy endeavor. thoreau was quite the philosopher and i can always find applicable wisdom in his words. there is perfection in nature - self cleansing. may blessings rain down upon you and yours ... :)

[Patricia Wedel]

Thank you Pete... we pray for blessings and compromise for the Wise. Gently, Pat

[emmajoy]

Such brute literary force here:

'.. .. life's bipolar lollipop sucked down to the stick - releasing inhibitions - freeing lost inhabitants - a molestation at midnight - a rape of reason - an unprecedented, overripe season '

Can only suppose it's the chaos before the calm.. a means of finding peace and, self. An internal battle to be who you are, or to discover why. That answered, time's on your side.

[Pete]

great observations. you've obviously been immersed in my ramblings. interesting that you mention time. time always seems to be on our side although i can't believe how quickly the days fly by as i get older. as a child, seemed like tomorrow would never arrive. now i lay my head down to sleep and in a wink the sun is rising again. a new dawn is hope and promise. faith's walk is not an easy road. i always applaud your thoughts on such matters em ...:)

[emmajoy]

It's good to know that caring about other people's words deserve more than a glance, you've always written with your heart, Pete. Plus, of course, time uses Man, not the reverse; its a great player of games and we'll never win, there are four seasons with all their characteristics grown since whenever.. Compared with that, we know and understand so little!! Am all for that new dawn with hope and promise..

[barleygirl]

This feels a little bit like a pinball ricochet as your rant hits so many satisfying spots, it would take me several pages to respond to everything that flashed thru my mind as I read. But I will hone in on one example from my own experience that illustrates your point. I never used to talk politics & now I've found it's impossible NOT to. There's so much political bullshit being flung from the left & right, one must become proficient at batting some it it back or away . . . it's impossible to let some of this remain unchallenged. Another development as a result of our crass disrespectful leader, political correctness has become obsolete & that's a good thing (as much as I hate to have this sound like I'm giving Trump any credit at all!) It's ridiculous, anymore, to bring up "PC" as having any validity or meaning. It's a f*****g free-for-all & I'm in with all four paws . . . I hope you can tell I love your poem! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Pete]

they say that truth is stranger than fiction. i've also reached the point where i oftentimes don't care to watch the news. i did however watch it last night and they made such a big deal about trump finally wearing a mask - really? that's newsworthy? the pbs program on the puffins was better and more educational. rome fell and i wonder about the u.s. thanks for sharing thoughts as we swelter in a heat wave ... :)

[barleygirl]

Everyone is craning to prove they give the prez credit when credit is due (admittedly very rare) as they ricochet against the latest onslaught: "why does everyone hate this prez so much when he's done blah-blah-blah. It'll be volleying a bunch of reactive talking points from now until after Nov! Enjoy!

[Pete]

i admit, i can't wait for the debates between trump and biden - now that will be entertainment ... :)