it's happening right now
I look out at the Pacific
and imagine those molecules
gaining energy and momentum
leaping from the ocean
into the air - and staying there
leaving the salt behind
fresh water floats free
no boiling required
then they move closer together
a haze that obscures the view
subdues the blue with wispy
curls of gray-white hair
a summer fog that pours in
through the Golden Gate
cumulus clouds heaped together
bright against the azure sky
rainfall in February
and then how bright
everything appears afterwards
as if the air has bathed
sun shining on wet grass
puddles for children to splash in
rivulets running against the curb
falling into paved-over streams
that lead straight to the bay
then heading out to sea
under the Golden Gate again
where the bonds of three dance
preparing to leap and fly again
more powerful than man
changing state
shaping earth
supporting life
* * * * *
This poem was written as an ode to a thing I love in nature from Big Tent Poetry.
A beautifully descriptive poem, Mr. Walker. I love what you did with this prompt.
ReplyDeletePamela
What a glorious picture you paint with your words! This is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYour Everyday Miracle drips with image. You do a wonderful job evoking place, then show us what its made of. I love "preparing to leap again more powerful than man." I think of superheroes.
ReplyDeleteIf it's okay with you, I'd like to read it aloud to one of my reading classes. I'm reading a poem each day in April with no strings attached, purely to give it voice. May I? I'll tell them you are a teacher and a poet in San Francisco. :) ~Mrs. Warren
Pamela, thank you for "beautifully descriptive".
ReplyDeleteGloria, thank you so much. This was a very visual poem for me, so I appreciate the "paint" reference.
Brenda, thanks for "drips" with image, since it's about water. I'm glad the images were so evocative. It's funny that you mention that line because I originally wrote "more powerful than Superman". I was playing off leaping and flying. Did you know that in the original Superman comic book, he could not fly, but could leap over buildings in a single bound? It's not only okay with me, I consider it an honor that you would share one of my poems with your students. Thank you for asking.
Haha, We create superheroes at the beginning of each school year. One of mine is Piggy the Wonderdog, he can leap through hula hoops in a single bound! LOL
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kindness, and the superman info. :)
Mr. Walker, I have read many of your poems; and this is one of your best. I can TELL it was written about something you really love.
ReplyDeleteI loved your optimism in this poem; it shined with every line.
ReplyDeleteHope folks remember the old lesson: All the water in the world is all we've ever had, and all we're going to get. We need to take care of it, lest the fresh water spoil and the salt water fail to cool our planet.
So I hope you're right! Thanks, Amy
http://sharplittlepencil.wordpress.com/2011/04/19/willing-to-eat-worms-day-18/
Brenda, you are more than welcome.
ReplyDeleteMary, thank you so much for reading my poems - and for the kind words.
Amy, thank you for your insightful comments. I had to read it again, but I guess you're right about the optimism. I, too, hope people remember that lesson. I marvel at the power of water; I hope I'm right too.
Excellent. This seems to me to be one way that "nature" poetry can go and still stay positive.
ReplyDeleteDave, thank you for your kind words. That idea of a nature ode called to me right away; what was difficult was deciding what to write about - and how.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great poem about the life force of rain. Beautiful scene you paint. I love this.
ReplyDeleteJudy, thank you for your kind words. I think "life force" says it very well.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful poem! I love the imagery. Especially love the lines "and then how bright
ReplyDeleteeverything appears afterwards
as if the air has bathed
sun shining on wet grass". I too love the fresh washed look that everything takes on after a rain. Coincidentally, I too wrote about rain for the Ode to Nature prompt: Monsoon Rains.
Agnija, thank you so much for your kind comments. My poems are not frequently called "beautiful". I liked your poem as well.
ReplyDelete