Image: A 1957 Dallas Twister with 2
Prominent Vortices visible (here)
Can we gather the clouds?
As a cushion when passing through
It looks so solid from below
But belies the
danger of deception
When the plane drops in a turbulence
Can we gather the
clouds?
In the cold of winter that we have now
When it decides to gingerly drop from the sky
As fluffy white floating snow flakes
To later force strong arms shoveling to no end
Can we gather the
clouds?
In the gathering tropical storms building up
Dark and menacingly covering the heavens
Before it lashed down in cold showers and strong winds
Engulfing the countryside in threatening floods
Can we gather the
clouds?
Knowing the calm before the destruction
In the distance the vortex of dust clouds in a long tail
To strike with fury as a twister so angry
Are we so lame and vulnerable to the danger!
Are we?
Love the progression of clouds though this.... the beauty and ugly in each stanza
ReplyDeletei liked the power this built up as the piece went along.... just like those clouds
ReplyDeleteSo many different kinds of clouds -- some of them gentle, some of them fierce. If only we could gather those clouds of a tropical storm and keep everyone safe!! A creative write, Hank.
ReplyDeletei have a quite funny plane dropping story...oy...that can be a shock...i dont think we have much control of the weather though i imagine we contribute to it with our wanton pollution...
ReplyDeleteA wonderful repeating line here - like the storm building. K.
ReplyDeleteUsing the question as a lead-in to each stanza, and then taking it through the progression as you did--almost a scientific treatise in poetic form.
ReplyDeleteI love the repetition Hank ~ They may look soft but when grey, its ominous &N menacing ~
ReplyDeleteThey may look nice on one day and the next they come at us full force at our bay. Can't trust the clouds.
ReplyDeleteI like the thought of gathering the clouds, Hank.
ReplyDeleteAlso I like the vortex picture with all of those 50's automobiles. There is a real pretty '55 Ford Crown Victoria in the middle and up close is a 1956 Ford Fordoor painted white on top with a greed skirt.
I had a convertible, 1956, with those colors. I bought it new but only got to keep it for a few months as I got drafted into the Army in May that year. My car payments were more than my Army pay. And we were four, two kids, a wife, and me. We were really poor even without the car.
Yes, I lost pictures of grandkids growing up too.
DeleteWow, never realize you can recognize the car makes in the pics. The pic was dated 1957. Those cars are of vintage age now if still around. It's awful about your 1956. I got a used car when I started working. Kept it for a few years as my stipend was also limited then. Was lucky it didn't give much trouble. Those were the days!
DeleteHank
nice write
ReplyDeleteI wish we could sometimes. But clouds mean rain mean water to drink, so I guess we'd better leave well alone.
ReplyDeletenature's forces are beyond our control... always humbles me if things like this happen when we think we have everything under control - the reality looks different
ReplyDeleteLovely piece, I did enjoy. Excellent use of repetition.
ReplyDeleteTo gather the clouds ... such an interesting statement to ponder... what if we could? what opportunities... what risks.. what if..
ReplyDeleteThe clouds---such a thing of beauty & gentleness but, yes, could bring such a fearful omen. You have pictured the two sides of the clouds in quite a strong way. Smiles.
ReplyDeleteLove the question and the repetition works really well here. We may not be able to gather the clouds, but we sure are receiving their contents this winter in so many places! Which we have contributed to, as someone said above.
ReplyDeleteMost enjoyable to read Hank,
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
You takes us from white, fluffy, benign clouds to menacing and downright dangerous...no, don't think we can gather them. We are at their mercy...and grace.
ReplyDeleteEngaging and thought-provoking piece. Must we gather the clouds?
ReplyDeleteWe can never gather the clouds - but we will always want to.
ReplyDelete