Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Poets United Midweek Motif ~ Stormy Weather

Storm Ending
 gif
        by Jean Toomer (1922)
clr gif
Thunder blossoms gorgeously above our heads,
Great, hollow, bell-like flowers,
Rumbling in the wind,
Stretching clappers to strike our ears . . .
Full-lipped flowers
Bitten by the sun
Bleeding rain
Dripping rain like golden honey—
And the sweet earth flying from the thunder.


File:Stormy weather (1).jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stormy_weather_(1).jpg



Midweek Motif ~ Stormy Weather


The motif running through this week's poems is "stormy weather."  Do you have in mind a specific storm or human condition?  

Or do you, like me, go right to the Harold Arlen song Stormy Weather (1933) and jazz and love?  



My poem below is 4 haiku strung together; Jean Toomer's poem above is free verse.   You could also write a stormy song.


Apply a 55-word limit.  If you can.  


~

Storm by Susan Chast 
Since you went away 
pittering and pattering
raining all the time 

Since you went away
thundering and thirsting
clouds oppose the sun 

Since you went away
matchmakers and matches
storm in to light my fire 

Since you went away
spitting and sparking 
still my fire won't start


#

For those who are new here:  
1.    Post your stormy poem on your site, and then link it here.
2.    If you use a picture include its link.  
3.    Share only original and new work written for this challenge. 
4.    Leave a comment here.
5.    Honor Poets United by visiting and commenting on our poems.

(Next week's motif will be Melody)

Mister Linky's Magical Widgets -- Auto-Linky widget will appear right here!
This preview will disappear when the widget is displayed on your site.
If this widget does not appear, click here to display it.

36 comments:

  1. Thank you for the storm - over shot the word limit..i blame it on the blustery conditions :~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good to see you, Jae Rose. Try to stay out of all the bluster!

      Delete
  2. "And the sweet earth flying from the thunder."

    -flying-, or preferably -fleeing-. Hope we can this time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too. Thank you for your take on the current storm. I am delighted that the Jean Toomer poem spoke to you. I love it myself.

      Delete
    2. Feel free with Winston's 'gathering' and my 'storm'. Isn't it scary.

      Delete
  3. Susan, Swinburne would be proud of you :-)
    Very melodious.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well hello, Poets United! I overslept by 2 hours, went over the word limit to write a new sonnet of 99 words, and in general have been very very out of line. My cat is upset, too, and storming around. I'll be back after I feed her and make coffee.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well I couldn't let this motif go by without at least writing something. Don't worry, any of you who went over the word limit, you can borrow some of my allotment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  6. Thankfully, this summer we haven't had much REALLY stormy weather. Some thunderstorms yes, but never a tornado warning..thank goodness!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And....I wrote mine in 47 words, definitely under your 55-word limit, Susan! Smiles.

      Delete
    2. Those are a powerful 47, Mary. You remind me that often the most intense stormy weather is the briefest ...

      Delete
  7. Well I can't seem to get this right today.
    Susan, please accept my apologies. the first link was directing you to an earlier post on my blog. I relinked to direct to the intended post for today. Please delete the first link. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thans for the clarification. I'll fix it! Always glad when you visit.

      Delete
  8. we had nasty storms roll through last night....woke the boys up about midnite...and had to get them back to sleep...lightning hit a tree in the neighbors yard...so my energy is flagging a bit...but i will write you something here in a bit...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We too. Beautiful Lightening tracing the sky, though no trees down. I slept late. But, Brian, this post is here through Saturday morning. No rush.

      Delete
  9. A Tanka for Midweek Motif today with less than 20 words....really enjoyed the topic Susan :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks fro taking up the challenge. Your poem knocked me out of the easy chair for a minute!

      Delete
  10. I have to work, kids, so will get around to you in a few hours. Cant wait!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I like your haiku. It's hard to restart that fire. Great topic for today. I've been away and am just catching up, so I'll be writing something later.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nice haiku Susan. It's hard to rekindle a fire.
    Well, mine's finally done. Thanks for such a good prompt.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Storms do fuel wonderful poems. Thanks for another great prompt I went a few words over (sorry)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Don't worry. I doubled the count! Going to read your poem.

      Delete
  14. Good job Susan! I loved your Stormy poem. I just linked mine!!! have a blessed night to everyone!!!

    Jamztoma
    jamztoma.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the haiku!
    Mine is up at: http://purplepeninportland.wordpress.com/2014/09/04/roar/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you link it above & visit others, you would find people would visit yours as well. Mr. Linky is easy to use.

      Delete
  16. Susan,

    I am late to the desk again, but had words mulling in my head for days!! Here is my serving of 53 words, plus the titles etc:)
    Eileen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh! It's shorter because of my word limit! I am not very much of an enforcer, though I know that my peoms get better with cutting and cutting. Thank you for posting such a fine poem for this prompt.

      Delete
  17. Thanks susan....writing for this prompt i got the news that my friend had lost her husband for blood cancer..a real storm really started inside my heart...unanswered questions started popping inside..well..my prayer is let god bless everyone:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had first read your poem without death in it. But I it more intensely after reading this. Cancer is epidemic, and we are so quickly victims. My heart goes out toyou andto your friend.

      Delete
  18. Ah, Saturday here. I'm looking at Rosemary's new digital book this morning. She has a virtual book launch on Facebook that will end in a few hours. Tomorrow Is Poetry Pantry's weekly pantry. Please come and post a favorite poemof yours or even a new one. Over and Out.

    ReplyDelete

This community is not meant to be used in a negative manner. We ask that you be respectful of all the people on this site as each individual writer is entitled to their own opinion, style, and path to creativity.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Blog Archive

Followers