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Open Poetry #48
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Lake Effect
| Open Poetry #48 |
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Lake Effect |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
"Lake effect" is a quick, blinding snowsquall that happens downwind from the great lakes in winter. I was caught in a very heavy "lake effect" last January, while ice fishing. This story/poem , or whatever it is, is about what I felt during that short storm.  "THERE is a wolf in me … fangs pointed for tearing gashes … a red tongue for raw meat … and the hot lapping of blood" I keep this wolf because the wilderness gave it to me, and the wilderness will not let it go." Carl Sandburg...from "Wilderness" (Cornhuskers- 1918) ******************************************* Lake Effect On the road that leads from ordinary, I drove a spirit car That carried me from safe at home, to a wilderness nearby. What is there, is close, though to most estranged Freedom, fueled by passion, is the driving force That pushes me that way, and the call of ancient ghosts. Ice has fangs, frozen air has jaws, always hungry to blacken flesh. And I believe because of this, sheep were created-wool hats To warm my head under--gloves to segregate the bite of frost; So wrapped, that day, I pulled my sled beyond the unmarked break Of snowbound lake, and hidden land. The setup was easy, drill what has hardened, pick a rig From the bucket-A lure with gold flash, laser hook, Goldenrod larvae, threaded, routine, but effective Way to eliminate the middle man, that stands Between myself and food...I take his profit by my work Providing meals direct from a wild water garden. Winds can vary in winter, blowing across planes of liquid, Flurries changed logarithmic, quickly multiplied in numbers. One becomes a trillion, when cold-wind gains momentum, Then passes over the greater lakes, with perpetual open waters. I became staid, in the middle of a lake effect, a place where time is frozen, And I could not make thing's appear that I knew were present... My sled became a blur, a meter away... I began to feel savage-out of grip Bereft of clock, and space--the only one alive, alone, a bubble In a blank-white corner of this ever expanding universe. The features of a wolf appeared, the wolf described by a master. The animal was my own reflection in the silver, icy mirror, And I had grown fangs to lap at the blood of the storm; Head laid back, I howled an ancient dirge-- a song of returning-- Then an echo spoke in a spirits voice, carried back--words written On the log of time in the collective dialog of primitive men. Though the wolf, and storm were quickly gone, The wind still carried lyrics on its swiftly dying wheez. Still it sang a crossing prairie song, the place it gained The building of its breath--lyrics sung in death-rattle key, In the language of Lakotah, the wilderness transcribed: "Hoka Hey", "Its a good day to die my son, And I am happy to see, you made no argument, Or whining plea, about the threatens of the day-- But know, my laws you must uphold--as I am you, And you are me....and I will never let you go." [This message has been edited by ice (02-08-2012 07:34 AM).] |
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JerryPat2 Member Laureate
since 2011-02-06
Posts 16975South Louisiana |
This is a magnificent write, Ice. Gritty in the aloneness you felt as the storm swooped you up. The feeling of complete helplessness was foiled by the inner wolf, one which, fangs bared, shrieked into the wind and took its measure, giving you back some sense of normalcy. Loved this. A keeper. At a cocktail party, one woman said to another, |
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EmmaRose Senior Member
since 2011-03-02
Posts 1376Midwest |
Very raw and intense passion and poetry But I have to disagree, the sheep was not created to warm you head, sorry, Im a vegan cant help myself when I see any element of animal cruelty even in a poem |
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Dark Stranger Member Patricius
since 2001-03-19
Posts 13631West Coast |
muy coolo...literately and literally speaking. |
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JL Member Ascendant
since 2004-04-01
Posts 6128Texas, USA |
"Though the wolf, and storm were quickly gone, The wind still carried lyrics on its swiftly dying wheez. Still it sang a crossing prairie song, the place it gained The building of its breath--lyrics sung in death-rattle key," You brought this story to life in this stanza. I am always in aw of your emotion and clarity in your poetry. Excellent! JL  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul,and with all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Dear Emma Sheep do not have to die to give wool for my clothing. All I take from it is its outer coat, in exchange for someone else feeding it... a good deal for both of us it seems.:-) I don't think this is cruel to the animal, I look at it as a symbiotic relationship.. But this is no place to argue symantics. Thank you for the reply..always nice to see you have read me.......:-) |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Jerry "giving you back some sense of normalcy" indeed so, though what I think is normal is looked at by many as insanity..I see the world through wilderness eyes. Thank you for the reply. |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Dark Shadow man The literal comes from the experience. Thank you for reading, and the reply. |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
JL I agree. That stanza is the pivot point, the fulcrum on which the weight of the poem is lifted by the lever of the other words. Thank you for the reply. |
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Nicole Senior Member
since 1999-06-23
Posts 1835Florida |
I began to feel savage-out of grip Bereft of clock, and space--the only one alive, alone, a bubble In a blank-white corner of this ever expanding universe. Yes, a thousand times, yes. I have tried to verbalize this feeling, and fall short so often in doing it. And you pull it off with ease. I loved the crescendo of this; very intense and enjoyable. |
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Margherita Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236Eternity |
The features of a wolf appeared, the wolf described by a master. The animal was my own reflection in the silver, icy mirror, And I had grown fangs to lap at the blood of the storm; Head laid back, I howled an ancient dirge-- a song of returning-- Then an echo spoke in a spirits voice, carried back--words written On the log of time in the collective dialog of primitive men. This is so very reflective of the oneness with nature and wilderness. You did connect so powerfully with the storm and placated it. Very beautiful write, so visual and with a plunge into the supernatural. Enjoyed this much. And what a beautiful picture of the wolf! Margherita |
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jwesley Member Rara Avis
since 2000-04-30
Posts 7563Spring, Texas |
Absolutely wonderful write my friend, and the picture too. Somebody spend a little time that putting that together. Again, yours words carried me all the way through. Wonderful. j. |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Nicole I tried to write my exact feelings in that stanza. I kept writting it over and over, until I was near satisfied with it. When you are trapped in a whiteout alone, it is a very primal place, and you feel like a floating bubble.. I don't like experiences like this in spite of that feeling but because of it. "I have tried to verbalize this feeling, and fall short so often in doing it" I think you can do it, I have read your poetry-you have skill enough to do it. Thanks for the reply. ****************************************************** Margherita Thank you for reading and the reply....:-) "Very beautiful write, so visual and with a plunge into the supernatural" It may seem so, but my feelings are that nothing in the poem is "supernatural" But I know what you mean, perhaps surreal is the word I would choose. That wolf is in all of us, as is the storm, and the primal language. I have chosen to place myself in positions to touch the fur of it, reminding myself always of the importance of my connection to the earth, and the rules that govern it. The wolf helps me understand myself. ******************************************************* Jwesley Thank you for reading and the reply. It did take a long time to arrange these words into a poem. The words came easy, but making them readable in poetic form was hard, just as it should be. The perfect picture was also hard to find..when I came on this one, I shouted outloud.. yes! "Again, yours words carried me all the way through" Ahhh there it is...they carried you through...that is a wonderful comment....thank you. |
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bel1e Senior Member
since 2006-07-24
Posts 1631 |
::::::goosebumps as I read this, iceman::::: |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Thank you baby belle. The hair on the back of my neck stood up during that encounter, just like my lab when there is a bear in the yard-- goosebumps rose on my arms.. |
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bel1e Senior Member
since 2006-07-24
Posts 1631 |
The spirit of the wolf has always held a very special and uplifting sacrality in my journey...ice...it has always been a good omen for me...but yes, moving and terrifying...  ~Had to come back to this one~*~*~ XOXO |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ford, as ever and always, this hits home so well, especially the Lakotah language but even more, the spirits that visited you. The last poem before I sleep tonight, the one I take with me to chase my dreams.  |
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secondhanddreampoet Member Ascendant
since 2006-11-07
Posts 6394a 'Universalist' ! |
powerfully fine writing ... I am particularly fond of: "Though the wolf, and storm were quickly gone, The wind still carried lyrics on its swiftly dying wheez. Still it sang a crossing prairie song, the place it gained The building of its breath--lyrics sung in death-rattle key ..." |
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ice Member Elite
since 2003-05-17
Posts 3404Pennsylvania |
Bel1e What a beautiful picture..love it, and love your reply. Thank you ******************************************** Sunny-K "The last poem before I sleep tonight, the one I take with me to chase my dreams. You have no idea how warm this makes me feel inside.. Thank you. ******************************************** SHDP I am very fond of that stanza.. The wind dying down sounded like the last breaths of an animal. But the wolf did not die, as it was a spirit already....:-) Thank you for reading, and the reply. |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
When I opened this and saw the amazing picture, I wondered what words could do it justice. Then I read your work and found out. This is fantastic!! |
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splashMeadow Junior Member
since 2011-06-09
Posts 20UK |
Fish for dinner... without the middle man. Hope the weather's turned right at last and you're back out on the ice. However many times I read this poem, I still like to come back and read it again! |
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ebonygirl Member Elite
since 2011-07-14
Posts 2000California U.S.A |
Ice, Enjoyed your fantastic poem. My favorite lines- "In the language of Lakota, ... But know, my laws you must uphold- as I am you, And you are me... and I will never let you go." Wolf will survive, without compromise live an intense, focused and balanced life. Ms. E |
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CocoBaci Member Elite
since 2000-05-06
Posts 3043 |
What a treasure! Enjoyed the read -Coco- |
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