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Storm
| Open Poetry #4 |
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Storm |
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Rod Member
since 1999-12-08
Posts 149Auckland New Zealand |
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 |
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| © Copyright 1999 Rod Walford - All Rights Reserved | |||
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Severn Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-17
Posts 7704 |
Wooooow. This is amazing, Rod. What a journey. You should submit this to Story Poems.  K |
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Marge Tindal 
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
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 |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
I love this!!! What a great story... well done! |
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Betty Gravitt Member
since 1999-09-11
Posts 222Georgia United States |
This is beautiful. My little black dog (dynamite) and I thank you. He is my best friend. B Gravitt |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
'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....  |
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U K Hero Member
since 1999-08-08
Posts 266England |
Excellent, bravo, bravo. |
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Kevin
since 1999-11-02
Posts 729Torrington, Ct, Usa |
this is great, id write more but im about to read it again than im goin out to get a puppy =) |
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Saxoness
since 1999-07-18
Posts 1102Texas |
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 |
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Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648 |
I enjoyed this Rod! Wonderful, touching tale! Denise |
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hoot_owl_rn Member Patricius
since 1999-07-05
Posts 10750Glen Hope, PA USA |
Rod this is so heartfelt and touching. What a wonderful tale you have woven through your rhythm and rhyme |
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Theraaven Junior Member
since 1999-12-11
Posts 11 |
Boy, This is great, I am glad I wandered in and read it. Thanks |
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Tara Simms Senior Member
since 1999-08-12
Posts 1244Honea Path, SC USA |
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 |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
Excellent verse, Rod. |
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Eloise Senior Member
since 1999-11-27
Posts 1096Wyoming |
Wow Rod this was wonderful. The imagery was excellent. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Wonderful Rod--the goose bumps are mine too. What a story, well told. |
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Pepper Member Elite
since 1999-08-19
Posts 3079Southern Florida |
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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