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Rod
Member
since 1999-12-08
Posts 149
Auckland New Zealand

0 posted 1999-12-10 05:20 AM




                                                                   STORM

Dark clouds in sombre brooding rolled
The seas to darkest grey,
As in the hermit’s croft, a cold
Chill stole the light away.

Old Jim knelt by the fireside close
And stroked the fur so warm;
He looked beyond the old black nose
Into the eyes of Storm.

And what he saw there took him back
Some fifteen years before,
When elements combined to wrack
His Scottish island shore........

The gale in squalling anger thrashed,
Black thunderclouds were spoiling.
Cruel rain in glassy needles lashed
The sea to cauldron boiling.

Wild lightning set the skies afire,
Harsh thunder clamoured scorn;
Such tempest did all hell conspire!
The night the pup was born.

Old Jim, by lamp of kerosene,
In meagre shed presided
Upon a birth which might have been
By Providence provided.

‘Twas at the tumult’s raging height
Beyond the ‘witching hour
Those first drawn breaths in dead of night
Defied the thunder’s power.

And in the cold, soft, eerie light
That was the grey dawn’s form,
In memory of that fearful night
He named his new pup..... Storm.

‘Twixt man and Border Collie grew
Such bond of faith unspoken
Which through the years was born anew
And still remains unbroken.

Oft in routine where doubt would lie,
Approval would prevail
By telepathic amber eye,
Or wag of bushy tail.

So in that sparse, unyielding land
Bereft of nature’s frills;
Storm learned survival’s sleight of hand
And honed his shepherd skills.

As when that mighty taloned, beaked
Assassin of the skies
In predatory plummet peaked,
None heard the young lamb’s cries....

Save Storm, who from his watch-post raced
With speed of bullet rifled.
Not since, that hawk, by jaws embraced
With lamb nor flock had trifled!

Old Jim recalled the moment well,
When fishing was his love;
He sore misjudged the ocean swell
‘spite barking from above..........

The towering wave that plucked him
From his rugged rocky pier,
His vision rendered vaguely dim;
The hand of death was near.......

In depths of frenzied tidal rip
On jagged rocks he smote,
Then felt the jaws of courage grip
The collar of his coat.

Storm pulled with all his strength and might
In mortal combat matched;
‘Til from the crazed foam’s deadly bite
His master’s life he snatched.

Thus many halcyon years passed
In work and play and slumber
But fate’s cold hand in dice-play cast
One final deadly number.

Old Jim grew weaker, pale and gaunt
He knew his time was brief.
And radiation  scarce would daunt
This creeping tissue thief.

Time’s rolling stream flowed, unrestrained.
Yet Storm,  he knew the score;
As Father Time, alas, constrained
His legs, once swift and sure.

Now, in the embers’ dying glow
Jim raised his trembling hand,
And softly stroked the face that so
Much seemed to understand.

Then, as he closed his eyes in prayer,
And life began to end,
Upon his cheek, a last kiss there
Came from his dearest friend.

Outside, the moon, in mourning bowed,
Her silver gleam in hiding
As once again, the thunder growled
In dark, foreboding tiding.


As Storm lay down beside Old Jim
The air grew damp and colder.
He rested weary head and limb
Upon the old man’s shoulder.

And as the rain began to fall
Upon that lowly croft
Storm heard his master’s final call
Ride on the gale aloft.

So well he knew that nature’s power,
The herald of his birth,
Bore tribute to the very hour
He’d end his time on earth.

On midnight’s breath of rolling gale
Two spirits rose as one
No bond of love can time assail
.........In Heaven’s morning sun.

©1999 Rod Walford

© Copyright 1999 Rod Walford - All Rights Reserved
Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

1 posted 1999-12-10 05:47 AM


Wooooow.
This is amazing, Rod.
What a journey.
You should submit this to Story Poems.

K

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
2 posted 1999-12-10 06:43 AM


Rod -
This is such a beautiful story of the true kinship bond between us and our pets.
I had a Border Collie once who was as much a part of me as Storm was to Jim.  
My Killian is remembered with a tear as I read your touching tale.
Thank you and hope to see more of you here.



 ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

suthern
Deputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Seraphic
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723
Louisiana
3 posted 1999-12-10 07:52 AM


I love this!!! What a great story... well done!  
Betty Gravitt
Member
since 1999-09-11
Posts 222
Georgia United States
4 posted 1999-12-10 08:56 AM


This is beautiful. My little black dog (dynamite) and I thank you. He is my best friend.  

 B Gravitt



Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
5 posted 1999-12-10 06:00 PM


'Tis wonderful indeed to have a new poet among us who so artfully writes in structured verse - and conveys such a wonderful story in the process....  ... You're in!!! There's no escaping us now....
U K Hero
Member
since 1999-08-08
Posts 266
England
6 posted 1999-12-10 06:04 PM


Excellent, bravo, bravo.
Kevin
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 1999-11-02
Posts 729
Torrington, Ct, Usa
7 posted 1999-12-10 06:06 PM


this is great, id write more but im about to read it again than im goin out to get a puppy =)
Saxoness
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Senior Member
since 1999-07-18
Posts 1102
Texas
8 posted 1999-12-10 06:48 PM


This was an astoundlingly beautiful poem...the kind that erases all other events around you while you read. Bravo!

 "Glory remains unaware of my neglected dwelling where alone
I sing my tearful song which has charms only for me."

-Charles Brugnot


Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

9 posted 1999-12-12 04:21 PM


I enjoyed this Rod! Wonderful, touching tale!

 Denise



hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA
10 posted 1999-12-12 04:39 PM


Rod this is so heartfelt and touching. What a wonderful tale you have woven through your rhythm and rhyme  
Theraaven
Junior Member
since 1999-12-11
Posts 11

11 posted 1999-12-12 06:24 PM


Boy,
This is great, I am glad I wandered in and read it. Thanks

Tara Simms
Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244
Honea Path, SC USA
12 posted 1999-12-12 06:27 PM


This is a wonderful tale!  It actually gave me goosebumps.

 It matters not how strait the gate;
How charged with punishments the scroll;
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
--W.E. Henley



Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA
13 posted 1999-12-12 07:09 PM


Excellent verse, Rod.
Eloise
Senior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 1096
Wyoming
14 posted 1999-12-12 07:18 PM


Wow Rod this was wonderful.  The imagery was excellent.
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
15 posted 1999-12-12 07:55 PM


Wonderful Rod--the goose bumps are mine too.  What a story, well told.
Pepper
Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079
Southern Florida
16 posted 1999-12-13 10:15 PM


To think I almost missed this....that would surely have been my loss...
This was a stirring piece written with excellence. I enjoyed the read so very much Rod....< !signature-->

 A soul that writes from the heart and shares it, truly gives a gift extraordinaire!
  



[This message has been edited by Pepper (edited 12-13-1999).]

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