Saturday, January 4, 2014

A Near Disaster

                                                                                        Attribution: Albert Herring
Image: Rising Flood Waters
Source: Wikimedia Commons (here)

Wordle #142 with words: 
behind bit caress expect first might
pair save scarlet sky spare struck

Amidst the scarlet hues of the evening sky
A slight breeze caressing carelessly her cheeks
Wisps of hair floating across her face
A pair of innocent souls yearning for oneness
At that moment when disaster struck

Save for chirpings of birds that broke the silence
There was barely a movement in the thickets
It scared them to think what could have been
All were behind them now

The first onslaught might have been the worst
But still they were spared what had befallen others
A bit disorientated but they managed

The aftermath of the worst floods in recent years
They still have themselves they reckoned

They had expected to survive and they did!


Note: Serious floods struck our East Coast Region
recently. Many were spared as the authorities had
forewarned them and they were prepared

Brenda's hosting of Sunday Whirl Wordle #142 shared with
Poets United's Poetry Pantry #183 

34 comments:

  1. The picture is perfect for your poem. My favorite line "there was barely a movement in the thickets."

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  2. A sobering reflection of a truly sad event.

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  3. How tenuous life is when disaster strikes whether natural or man made. Each of us should reassess our own life which hangs on such a slender thread. Quite a thoughtful post.

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  4. Survival..literal or otherwise often requires the will to survive..as well as good fortune..nicely written

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  5. Such a sad reality of the fragility of life

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  6. very nicely done. Flooding is just terrible.

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  7. You brought out the suddenness of a calamity very well.

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  8. It sounds like a scary event, even if you survive, you are made aware, just how close it all is.

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  9. Being prepared for the floods is a good thing ~ Flooding can cause a lot of damage ~ Good one Hank ~

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  10. Stay safe Hank! Glad these two were spared as well!

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  11. i am glad they realize the important things survived...that they are alive and together...having seen the back side of a vicious flood i feel for them....

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  12. I often wonder how the birds make it through such things.

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  13. A rising storm is frightening. I love the inclusion of the birds, and that your people were mostly prepared to get out of the way of the worst of it. Nicely penned, Hank.

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  14. The flood can be scary... but forewarned we can survive.

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  15. how fragile is our existence... yet i like the optimistic ending.

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  16. Hank I wondered if the last stanza was intended to be two stanzas (Two lines then one) to keep with the pattern of the rest of the poem. Or did you break the pattern just to mess with my mind.

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    1. Hey you've got a point there SC. Let's see. I've amended it. Didn't think of it that way! It goes ok now I would think!

      Hank

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  17. You've written a beautiful poem about a very scary subject...thank you for sharing!

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  18. Excellently written and a great picture to match.

    Yvonne.

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  19. you penned a thoughtful poem... one that fosters thought... one of the human beings basic instincts.. survival...

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  20. You do a great job of relaying current events in poetic form. This is not easily done, but you manage it well.

    http://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2014/01/03/evidence-of/

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  21. Glad they were warned and were able to prepare

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  22. Thankfully never been in this position, but my sister-in-law has, so I know that even when the water disappears the mental scars remain.

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  23. They sound young, in love, and positive, all ingredients for survival.

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  24. I have been worrying about all of the flooding in recent months, Hank. Glad some were warned and survived. I believe we will be seeing a lot more flooding in years to come. Stay safe, my friend.

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  25. What devastation flooding causes, Hank! I do worry about the number of floods lately and about all of the people who die and whose lives are changed forever. Stay away from danger, Hank.

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  26. Your well written carefully penned poem is a reality check. Life is fragile and survival is not guaranteed,

    Elizabeth

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  27. Hank,

    You certainly were able to weave a poem with a message..floods are dangerous and I'm glad some were spared..I am afraid flooding will continue to be an issue in many places worldwide. Glad you are safe Hank!

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  28. Scary stuff Hank - something I have never experienced and hope I never do.
    Anna :o]

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  29. love that triumphant last line...very well penned Hank

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  30. Beautifully penned, Hank. On such a horrible disaster.

    Pamela

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  31. Hank,

    Your poem is most timely, since the UK is suffering some of the worst flooding in its history. It is surely a sign of things to come, with this new and terrifying visitor...

    Happy and Safe New year,
    Eileen:)

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  32. A very timely poem, as much of Sussex where I live is under water due to flooding.

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  33. this is a great poem.... brings so much to the surface for us to see.... not something we would think about when it's dry and safe.... i like the strong urge to survive.... and having survived live on...

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