It was a long summer
While sun smirked down on us
Like an errant uncle
Outstaying his welcome
We needed a shaman
To sing a song for us
We needed the dark clouds
To pour rain down on us
Oh sincere singer sing
Spirit the days to change
Muddy our paths for us
Flood the roads, we don't care
We've lost our dignity
We've forgotten our pride
We lose much more each day
The raven shakes his head
It was a long summer
Clouds darken the night skies
We listen to the rain
Watching from the window
Now just who do we praise?
We had cursed and ranted
Thunder booms, lightning strikes
Someone is not happy
Image found at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-27/matthewson-drought-assistance/5287562
I love the personification of a long summer as smirking 'down on us
ReplyDeleteLike an errant uncle
Outstaying his welcome'!
You've really captured the longing for rain, Robin.
Just so long as "flooding rains" don't replace the droughts! (We had very bad floods in the Northern Rivers last year.)
ReplyDeleteAh, the thunder and rain! I think about your poem metaphorically....and wonder if dignity will ever return!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kim. I love the hell out of that personification.
ReplyDeleteExcellent lyrical style. Music is moving through this piece!
ReplyDeleteThe longing in this poem is so raw .. so palpable!💖
ReplyDeleteOh some guests are always overstaying their welcome... here we are just starting to hope for summer (but here it's never too long I think)
ReplyDeleteIt is true, with climate change...long hot summers, no rain.
ReplyDeleteI think this is my favourite of your poems.....the heat, the need for a shaman, the raven shaking his head.......each summer hotter than the last......and nothing changes.
ReplyDeleteNo there is always someone unhappy with the weather....and if I stretch it with life.....yes, the lesson is to find gratitude in what we have and see the blessings if we can! Loved this.
ReplyDeleteWiped that smirk right off the sun's face? We always want what we don't have.
ReplyDeleteThe first stanza is so relatable--both, thinking of the weather and of relatives' behavior. And the ending, well... we've been there at least once. Heck, right now, it seems we can't leave the what's annoying the weather gods now? stage.
ReplyDeleteI feel the melancholy, lovely poem.
ReplyDeleteThis was marvelous!
ReplyDeleteZQ
Flashbacks to last summer.
ReplyDeletePowerful and impactful - the extended metaphor brilliantly rendered. For me: up there, with some of your very best work, Robin!
ReplyDeleteWe had cursed and ranted
ReplyDeleteThunder booms, lightning strikes
Someone is not happy
The weather is unpredictable and Providence has a hand to play. One has to accept, adapt and adjust to whatever is at hand.
Hank
A good write to and about the seasons. Love that they have their different personalities.
ReplyDeleteExcellent poem.Sad to see cows cramped under a single tree for shade....see it all the time
ReplyDeleteThis may be a favorite!
ReplyDeletenice images luv the request for shaman songs
ReplyDeletemuch love...
i liked the cadence of this poem. what a rant should be. :)
ReplyDeleteit's not much different over here, hot days & humid nights.
Monday WRites 152 is live. I invite you to link in
ReplyDeletemuch love...
Thank you for linking in to Monday WRites this week
ReplyDeleteMuch🌼love
I get the feeling you are suffering through a drought.
ReplyDelete