Linda Kulp Trout

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Poetry Friday: In the Path of the Storm

We had two days off school during the hurricane. There were reports that our area would experience a lot of damage and power outages. We had two days of howling wind and heavy rain. A lot of trees came down, and there was some flooding, but no major damage to our house or neighborhood. Tonight we're counting our blessings and sending prayers to the folks in places like New Jersey and New York who suffered the worst of the storm.

On Monday and Tuesday, I spent a lot of time watching coverage of the storm. The comments made by the politicians and newscasters from their first warnings to their descriptions of the damage really stuck with me. I sat with my notebook and started jotting their words down.  Today, I'm sharing a found poem I put together from some of those comments.


 
 
 
        In the Path of the Storm
 
We learn lessons from every storm.
Please heed the warnings—
The worst is yet to come
It's time to hunker down
The damage will be
significant.

In the path of the storm,
there's nothing we can do
but ride it out the best we can.
When people think it's safe—
it can be the most
dangerous

The clouds have not yet parted
with another night of darkness
it's tough to see the sun
recovery will be slow—
we are tough
resiliant
 
It will never be the same
but we will rebuild.
We will not quit—
We learn lessons
from every
storm.
  
Donna at Mainely Write is our lovely hostess for this week's Poetry Friday. Hug your family tight and have a great weekend!  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


16 comments:

  1. I love the way this circles back to the beginning, and the way it goes from ominous to resigned but hopeful.

    with another night of darkness
    it's tough to see the sun

    and

    It will never be the same
    but we will rebuild.

    are my favorite parts. So glad you weathered the storm well...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Laura- That first line rang seemed to have so much meaning, I thought it needed to be repeated. : )

      Delete
  2. We also got really lucky with this storm. We lost a 50' tree in our yard but it didn't fall on anything -- we never lost power or cable so we spent two days glued to the TV. The kids here missed three days of school and they were pretty stir-crazy by day three.

    I'm glad you weathered the storm well. Thanks for sharing your storm poem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katya, did you get the snow too? We're in PA so we just got the rain. Now I'm hearing we might get another storm (not a hurricane) next week. There is a lot of water on the ground already!

      Delete
  3. I had a similar experience with the storm. Counting my blessings still! You did a fine job of crafting poetry out of all those overwhelming reports.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Andi- I have two pages of quotes. I was so touched by the passion the voices of those reporting on the storm.

      Delete
  4. Here's hoping everyone still affected can get their lives back to normal...thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Matt- I can only imagine the courage it must take for the folks who lost their homes and loved ones to move beyond this. Sending them lots of prayers.

    ReplyDelete
  6. "We learn lessons from every storm." So true, no matter the storm.

    Glad to hear you weathered it without too many troubles. At the tail end, in Ohio, we had some wind and the surprise of a dusting of snow.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mary Lee- When I heard that line, it felt like the beginning of a poem. All the comments made me think of the progression we got through in any crisis. I hope that message came through.
      I'm glad you didn't get that deep snow some places in WV got! We we both lucky with this one! : )

      Delete
  7. Great poem, Linda. I'm glad you didn't suffer any property damage. A scary time for all East Coasters.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jama- It was a scary time. I feel so sorry for the people who lost their homes. Things like this really remind us to be grateful for what we have.
      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  8. Love your "circle" poem! We do learn lessons from every storm, don't we? It's the whole "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" idea. I believe it. Thanks so much for writing this poem. Thinking of all those affected.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Irene- you are so right. I just wish we didn't need "storms" to teach us these lessons.

      You are so sweet. Thank you for your kind words about my poem. You made my day!

      Delete