Sunday 29 December 2013

GALE FORCE 12



A Wind as sharp as a surgeons scalpel scythed

cylindrical things trees and wires to fall 

dumb on damned storm sodden ground.

Twenty-three hours of south Atlantic gale blew

A thousand banshees to scream. Howl, hanging

on corners of houses, old hags un-prettily dressed.

Merciless waves pounded hard faced cliffs, sentinels

standing doggedly against dull drumbeats of death.

In retrospect. Sense soldiers stories from the Front

of continuous bombardment and lulls of silence 

that heralded the wailing of Moaning Minnies.

No War now. Just an atmospheric battle, a hurricane

that a modern God cannot prevent.    We rely upon

ancient gods of this island Anu, Bríd, Daghda and Lugh

to intercept on our behalf with their mighty wisdom.

These guardians of animals, crops, fields and rivers

ever alive these proud providers of their people.

Over whose sleeping lands of winter they walk 

treading old paths from stone forts to raths.


© MRL 29-12-13

6 comments:

  1. MIRANDA C wrote
    I really like this one. We have the same conditions here but you put it into words beautifully.
    Love
    Miranda

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  2. Thank you very much for your comment Miranda which I greatly appreciate and a happy new year to you and yours.

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  3. exact;y the conditions that were here too. I dislike these storms terribly. But when we are faced with one again I will think of it in the words of this poem. Hags and Banshees and maybe I will just break a smile or two. BB Margaret

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    1. Thank you Margaret and A very Happy New Year to you!

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  4. We had exactly the same conditions here too. Oh I do dislike these storms. When we get hit by another i will think of it in the words of this poem though....Banshees and Hags...wonderful description. I think I might even manage to smile to myself. Great poem thanks
    BB Margaret

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    1. Almost a double entry Margaret ??? ha' ha' ha! I presume you had a truly cup fueled
      HOGMANAY !

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