Sunday 29 April 2018

A long summer


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

25 comments:

  1. I love the personification of a long summer as smirking 'down on us
    Like an errant uncle
    Outstaying his welcome'!
    You've really captured the longing for rain, Robin.

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  2. Just so long as "flooding rains" don't replace the droughts! (We had very bad floods in the Northern Rivers last year.)

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  3. Ah, the thunder and rain! I think about your poem metaphorically....and wonder if dignity will ever return!

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  4. I agree with Kim. I love the hell out of that personification.

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  5. Excellent lyrical style. Music is moving through this piece!

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  6. The longing in this poem is so raw .. so palpable!💖

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  7. Oh 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)

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  8. It is true, with climate change...long hot summers, no rain.

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  9. I 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.

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  10. No 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.

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  11. Wiped that smirk right off the sun's face? We always want what we don't have.

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  12. The 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.

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  13. I feel the melancholy, lovely poem.

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  14. Powerful and impactful - the extended metaphor brilliantly rendered. For me: up there, with some of your very best work, Robin!

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  15. We had cursed and ranted
    Thunder 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

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  16. A good write to and about the seasons. Love that they have their different personalities.

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  17. Excellent poem.Sad to see cows cramped under a single tree for shade....see it all the time

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  18. nice images luv the request for shaman songs

    much love...

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  19. i liked the cadence of this poem. what a rant should be. :)
    it's not much different over here, hot days & humid nights.

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  20. Monday WRites 152 is live. I invite you to link in

    much love...

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  21. Thank you for linking in to Monday WRites this week

    Much🌼love

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  22. I get the feeling you are suffering through a drought.

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