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Open Poetry #30
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Ratleader
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0 posted 2004-01-03 01:00 AM


                    Watching Rain

It falls simply; you can see it in the distance,
the soft gray veil trailing slowly down from a cloud,
watch the drench pull toward you while it comes,
feel the drops beginning, the press of wind….
                    Know what you know of winds
                    and the barometer, you cannot
                    change the way of it.

Further out, watch the radar roll,
see it roiling inward bound from
a week away, coming down across the sea,
ineluctably pressing toward the land…
                    Know what you know of air masses
                    and the jetstreams, you cannot stay
                    or turn its course. The storm will be.

And when the lightning strikes,
it is not enough to know why.


[This message has been edited by Ratleader (01-03-2004 01:54 AM).]

© Copyright 2004 Ed Ratledge - All Rights Reserved
GG
Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532
Lost in thought
1 posted 2004-01-03 01:27 AM


the pictures you made with this....
so real.
Not sure if its a good feeling or a bad one I get from this... but its strengthening, in whatever that may be.
love it.

Always, Alyssa

He was a man of sorrows
...I am a girl of tears.

wordwizard
Member
since 2003-09-08
Posts 483
on the way to next world
2 posted 2004-01-03 02:11 AM


the forces of nature, well described...miss decent snowfalls as they once were here as
southern Canada gets warmer.


passing shadows
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since 1999-08-26
Posts 45577
displaced
3 posted 2004-01-03 04:48 AM


it is not enough to know why
Dark Angel
Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095

4 posted 2004-01-03 05:50 AM


and the barometer, you cannot
                    change the way of it.


true that Ed, but actually... the barometer tells how it's going to be.

nice to read you

M

"I can't believe
I've lost the very best of me"

Natalie Merchant


Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

5 posted 2004-01-03 07:51 AM


I really like this Ed...

I like your line breaks, and I like your visual spacing. I'm not sure, however, of your italics.

Italics in such a blocked style are almost distracting and even a little weak. Much have I learned, to my chagrin, of the use of italics in my own writing...perhaps to create the sense of division between the blocks you could rely more on space...ie, leave a blank line between the right-aligned stanzas, and the indented italicked blocks...visual distance is often effective between stanzas..

Another suggestion - watch those adverbs...again, a weakening agent. might I suggest you read line 2 aloud with the word 'slowly' in it, and then without it - see how much stronger the line becomes when the adverb is removed.

Same with ineluctably even though its a nice word lol...

Cheers, thanks for the read..

K

[This message has been edited by Severn (01-03-2004 07:56 AM).]

nakdthoughts
Member Laureate
since 2000-10-29
Posts 19200
Between the Lines
6 posted 2004-01-03 07:51 AM


The storm will be.

And when the lightning strikes,
it is not enough to know why.


I love rain storms, they drench other thoughts and even though noisy, make me feel calmer inside...strange effect

M

serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

7 posted 2004-01-03 07:56 AM


"not enough to know why"

indeed. Knowing doesn't change a damned thing, much to my chagrin.

and? not to pick a fight with Kamla, grinning here, but I liked the italics



Nice work, Ed.

Severn
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704

8 posted 2004-01-03 08:05 AM


(them seems like fightin' words to me Miss K...I'll meet you outside...

heh)

K

Patricia
Member Elite
since 2003-04-06
Posts 2160
Missouri
9 posted 2004-01-03 08:13 AM


Ed,
I get a sense of the logical, rational self attempting to make sense of the emotional self...  Right brain left brain conflict.  And while this may not have been your intent of this piece, this is what I found in your words because it is something I know very well, and struggle with often.  

Understanding the mechanics is not enough for me either, but I often try to justify feelings using logic...perhaps I just need to hear the thunder and see lightning...and just feel the feel.

This piece got me thinking, as you can see.  But more than that...it got me "feeling."  

Such a wonderful write!

Patricia

Margherita
Member Seraphic
since 2003-02-08
Posts 22236
Eternity
10 posted 2004-01-03 08:15 AM


Watching rain ... I love your poem and I love to witness storms .... (from a safe distance!).

The secret lies in being able to flow with events ... even the ligthning has a purpose and to know this might well be enough.

Love, Margherita

inkedgoddess
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since 2002-11-19
Posts 7392
Ohio
11 posted 2004-01-03 09:41 AM


i like it to come unexpectadly to just trickle down like the call of love
Seymour Tabin
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since 1999-07-07
Posts 31720
Tamarac Fla
12 posted 2004-01-03 09:54 AM


Ratleader
It is not enough to know why. Would you rather know how? LOL Enjoyed


Bonnie j
Senior Member
since 2003-06-27
Posts 1588
Ohio
13 posted 2004-01-03 10:04 AM


Morning RL
Looking out my window seeing dark clouds and rain.
Must be a day with thoughts of rain, clouds and the spiraling wind.
See Ya
Love Bon-Bon

Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
14 posted 2004-01-03 10:09 AM


Ed...Agreeing with Patricia here...I feel a conflict between the emotions and reason.  A great ending line there ....giving the feeling of powerlessness either way you look at it.  A great metaphor for some of life's challenges.  Well done!  and a hug!

[This message has been edited by Martie (01-03-2004 12:17 PM).]

Goodknight
Member Elite
since 2002-06-15
Posts 2386
Ohio, USA
15 posted 2004-01-03 10:52 AM


Ed - great poem and it generates lots of thoughts and wondering - thanks Paul
suthern
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Louisiana
16 posted 2004-01-05 12:14 PM


It falls simply; you can see it in the distance,
the soft gray veil trailing slowly down from a cloud,

And when the lightning strikes,
it is not enough to know why.

How can one poem fill me with both peacefulness and agitation? It seems impossible... and yet... it is.... you haven't just watched the rain, you've captured the elements. *S*

This is magnificent, my friend... another to be read on many levels... and enjoyed on every one of them. *S*

passing shadows
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since 1999-08-26
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displaced
17 posted 2004-01-05 12:52 PM



garysgirl
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18 posted 2004-01-05 01:03 PM


Well, Ed, a good discussion going, huh?
All I know is that I  love the rain!! LOL
Hugs, my friend  
Ethel

Susan Caldwell
Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348
Florida
19 posted 2004-01-05 01:17 PM


Ed~

My favorite by you...

and another vote for the italics...

"if you won't let me fall for you
then you won't see the best that I would love to do for you"
~Dido~

Ratleader
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20 posted 2004-01-05 02:43 PM


I do like getting that kind of comments about my work! Seeing how other people think about the way I write always gives me things to think about and maybe improve. Gotta love that.

~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>   ~~(¸¸¸¸ºº>  ~~(¸¸ ¸¸ºº>    ~~~(¸¸ER¸¸ºº>
______________Ratleader______________

garysgirl
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21 posted 2004-01-05 03:18 PM


I knew you would, Ed.
Sadelite
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since 2003-10-11
Posts 2519

22 posted 2004-01-05 08:41 PM


RatL,
   We are running some of the same thoughts again-and I see helpful comments here that apply to my "to change the SHAPE of RAIN";
  BTW, I liked it.  All your poems have a different style or flavor, kind of like Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream!  Sometimes, I'm in more of a scientific mood than other and would like reading this type.  Don't change a thing. You're fortunate to be able to present many different
styles.


[This message has been edited by Sadelite (01-07-2004 09:18 AM).]

Kahlil
Senior Member
since 2003-04-12
Posts 1881

23 posted 2004-01-06 01:08 AM


A lightening "crescendo", I like it.  While I have the greatest admiration for those of you who are part of the sea, I'd much rather watch the view from the beach!  ~K~
iliana
Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434
USA
24 posted 2004-01-06 02:02 AM


Sorry you had a rough day or week or two weeks.  Hope things improve.  Just remember, the good things that happen are usually things we least expect!  always a fan  

Forgot to add that this poem really impressed me -- my comment above, perhaps, is reading between the lines a bit.  

[This message has been edited by iliana (01-07-2004 04:27 PM).]

Justbleu
Member Elite
since 1999-08-31
Posts 3329
Oregon, Originally From Alaska :)
25 posted 2004-01-22 11:48 PM


A very enjoyable read....
I love watching storms.  I often step out on my balcony and just watch the lightening and the rain and listen intently to the thunder. It seems soo supernatural to me!!!!
Bridgette

"Somewhere, somehow, it should be possible to touch someone and never let go again.  To hold someone, not for a moment but forever." Unknown


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