I’ve lived through many a tropical storm/hurricane in my life (being from the DR) and the language in this poem resonated with me deeply!
I wrote a poem recently about willingly walking into the eye of a tropical storm… and how my prayer is to be like the palm trees. God crafted them uniquely to survive in hurricane-prone places—thin, tall, and fibrous trunks that bend and dance in crazy high winds.
Gracias for this poem, Mark! Always a big fan of your writing.
Many thanks for reading and commenting, Rosa. When I scheduled it, I have to admit that I hoped it would land gently enough to serve people who have experienced real storms – whether in the natural world or in life situations. I never want to ambush readers. But there's a line (as you well know) between guarding the reader's comfort and "bothering" their comfort zone. I'm glad you found these words of value.
Thank you so much, Abigail! Reading aloud teaches me where I've failed to make music. Grateful for the wise poets who encouraged me to read unfinished poems aloud.
Very nice, Mark, I loved this one. The depictions of storms and weather patterns is wonderful, but I loved the context you put them in with the last two lines—really elevates the sonnet in my opinion. Well done indeed.
Exquisitely crafted, perfectly balanced. The sound play and rhythm and rhyme all build to such power that I can feel the storms in my bones. And then the beautiful turn at "quiet brooks and rills" I can feel the peace settling in the final couplet like a mantle of grace.
When I read a poem like this I wish very much that I had written it.
Wow, Melanie ... thank you for such a thoughtful read and for sharing your experience with me. It's a humbling thing to receive feedback like yours. I'm grateful you were blessed.
I’ve lived through many a tropical storm/hurricane in my life (being from the DR) and the language in this poem resonated with me deeply!
I wrote a poem recently about willingly walking into the eye of a tropical storm… and how my prayer is to be like the palm trees. God crafted them uniquely to survive in hurricane-prone places—thin, tall, and fibrous trunks that bend and dance in crazy high winds.
Gracias for this poem, Mark! Always a big fan of your writing.
Many thanks for reading and commenting, Rosa. When I scheduled it, I have to admit that I hoped it would land gently enough to serve people who have experienced real storms – whether in the natural world or in life situations. I never want to ambush readers. But there's a line (as you well know) between guarding the reader's comfort and "bothering" their comfort zone. I'm glad you found these words of value.
The rhymes feel effortless. How you manage the sound and sense without it feeling forced is teaching me so much.
Thank you so much, Abigail! Reading aloud teaches me where I've failed to make music. Grateful for the wise poets who encouraged me to read unfinished poems aloud.
Oof. A difficult prayer, but beautifully crafted.
Yes. Kind of like praying for patience … there’s a bit of “brace yourself” in it. Thank you for reading, Anna.
Very nice, Mark, I loved this one. The depictions of storms and weather patterns is wonderful, but I loved the context you put them in with the last two lines—really elevates the sonnet in my opinion. Well done indeed.
Thank you very much, James! I appreciate your kind words and thoughtful read.
Exquisitely crafted, perfectly balanced. The sound play and rhythm and rhyme all build to such power that I can feel the storms in my bones. And then the beautiful turn at "quiet brooks and rills" I can feel the peace settling in the final couplet like a mantle of grace.
When I read a poem like this I wish very much that I had written it.
Wow, Melanie ... thank you for such a thoughtful read and for sharing your experience with me. It's a humbling thing to receive feedback like yours. I'm grateful you were blessed.
Hallelujah! This is a wonderfully rollicking prayer you've given us.
Thank you for reading and for your kind words, Peter – and hallelujah indeed!
So good.
Thank you, Jordan!
Exquisite (as always, seriously). You are so gifted, Mark!
Thank you so much, Margaret Ann! I'm honored. :)
Dude. That's all I can say.
Thank you for reading, Tania!
The photo perfectly portrays the supplicant!
Thanks, Mom!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Michelle!