Sanibel Storm

Dark grey layers tinged with white

race

tumble

roll into our sight.

Far distant rumbles,

grumbles,

reach the ear.

The briny bath lapping at my feet

moves with more dispatch.

A breathless heaviness engulfs the land.

Quickly,

closer moves the grey.

Palm branches lean and sway.

The bright gold orb is gone,

night has descended on the morn.

Engulfed in violent darkness

we race for haven, safe.

Behind our walls of glass,

we watch.

The fury rages on.

Trees, a violent rhumba dance.

Sharp flashes crack the grey.

Lines of foam

roll

rumble

crash against the sand.

Sheets of wind-blown liquid hide our view.

Pounding

rumbling

grumbling

dark grey layers moving past.

The din subsides.

A shaft of sun breaks through.

A brief respite before the next

dark grey layers tinged with white

race

tumble

roll into our sight.

 

 

August Afternoon

Trucks whooshing by

create a mighty wind upon their faces,

bending tall green shanks of grass

that hide them.

Rows of maples holding court along the path,

sun and shadow dancing on the earth,

cool mossy pads beneath.

A monarch weaves and wanders near their den,

violets cluster just within their reach,

dandelion buttered noses are the rage.

Muted put, put, put sounds come calling

from some far field.

A blanket

a basket

a kitten trying to escape.

Ingredients of delight

for two small girls

on an August afternoon.

 

Eyes

Words become

indescribable

funny

unreliable.

Arms

are never long enough.

Light

is never bright enough.

Oh, for the day

when these aqueous portals could see.

                                                                — Joy Erickson

 

The above poems are from the book, “Finger Prints” © 1997, by Joy Erickson.

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