Landscape’s barren ground
Tracking plenty of snowflakes—
Frosty’s welcome grin
Night sky’s Polaris
Navigating by North Star—
Blizzard changes course
Forecast, right or wrong?
Let’s try flipping someone’s coin—
All pockets empty
Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.
It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent.
Dave Barry (born 1947) is an American author and columnist. Many of his writings include humor and parody.
Early morning darkness
Sleep filled with quiet dreams
Sudden interruption!
Storm alert’s pulsing beam
Wide awake, checking phone
Tornado touching down
Only miles west of home
Shelter sought all around
Weather’s constant updates
Safety makes its quick choice
Moving to surest place
Heart fills with peaceful voice
Warning shrieks from siren
Calling all to be smart
Retreating from harm’s way
Bathroom, now rescue cart
Outside, wind-driven rain
Pounding with clear intent
Will storm alter its path?
Praying calmness be sent
Storm front now moving east
Heaven’s safety net cast
Thoughts with others in need
“All Clear” arrives at last
On Wednesday, February 28, a series of tornadoes touched down west of the Columbus, Ohio outerbelt. At approximately 5:15 a.m. my wife and I were awakened by a storm alert on our phones. Fortunately, the worst of the storm stayed south and north of our location, but others did not fare so well. Here is a link to a photo update of the storm (courtesy of The Columbus Dispatch): Storm Update.
Spring singing praises
Greener lawns growing thicker—
Revving up mowers
Thunderstorm’s downpour
Lifeboats unavailable—
Trusty umbrella
Swirling wind tunnel
One step forward, two steps back—
Clutching friend’s tow rope
Ceaseless, overnight rain
Early morn’s swollen creek
Flowing outside its bank
Nature ready to tweak
Smaller tributaries
Never to be left out
Gathering their volume
Flood’s growing runabout
Cloud’s river of moisture
Lengthy, not finished yet
Forecasting gloomy skies
Weather’s headlines typeset
Sun planning its comeback
But not for day or two
Waiting with humble song
Nature croons springtime blues
Photo by Immortal shots on Pexels.com
Bone-chilling winds turn life upside down today
Delivering frigid, Arctic storms to every town
Thickening ice, spreading across the lake’s bay
People running straight into gusts, heads down
Wind chimes endlessly sing a winter-filled blast
Watching the thermometer effortlessly dive
Wondering, how long will this deep freeze last?
Somehow, everyone remains warm and thrives
The townsfolk cope, accepting winter’s greed
Facing long, harsh winters, most every year
Helping others to survive, when one’s in need
Winter’s severity never brings about fear
Finally one day, the wind changes its sound
Pitching warmer air, by way of a chinook
Lightening the load for everyone around
Smiles arrive, from every cranny and nook
Spring will soon send out her welcoming band
Replacing life’s burdens, with warmer wishes
Surviving winter’s struggles across the land
Winter to spring, life crosses familiar bridges
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Originally published February, 2020.
Photo by Adam Lukac on Pexels.com
Bright afternoon blues began to darken
Winter’s cold blanket prepares to descend
Snowflakes twirling and dancing, at first glance
Ol’ Man Winter, with a message to send
Grandfather clock proclaims each passing hour
Intricate flakes, magnified in their size
Winter’s harsh intensity growls and howls
Like a hungry wolf, seeking his one prize
Outside, barren landscape feels overwhelmed
Pristine white now nature’s color tonight
Modest cabin remains toasty and warm
Ancient kitchen stove consumes wood all night
Staying indoors, cozy and safe
Snowy frenzy roars, no ending in sight
Minutes turn to hours, forwarding to days
Snowbound but home, never a hopeless plight
Photo by Evelyn Chong on Pexels.com
Originally published February, 2020.
Clouds mask over joy
Morning sunrise hesitates—
Playing peek-a-boo
Escaping again
Stormy clouds migrate away—
Rainbow’s colors smile
Clouds’ darkness building
Thunderstorms brewing tempest—
Restless night ahead
Dog days of summer arrive
Sweating from moist, humid heat
Corn lifting up to heavens
Backyard grilling offers eats
Morning sun heats up quickly
Sweltering hot by high noon
Swimming pools usually packed
Closed by afternoon monsoons
Workers staying hydrated
Drinking water without end
Temperatures set record
Weather refusing to bend
Landscape’s beauty quickly fades
Stressing out from endless drought
People’s patience wearing thin
Nature sends timely bailout
Everyone prays for relief
Welcoming cold front arrives
Brief respite from summer’s heat
Dog days now humbly nosedive
Overcast morning
Gray covers forgotten sun—
Missing in action
Crystal clear waters
Canoe glides with rhythmic pace—
Perfect melody
Galactic journey
Cosmic adventure comes true—
Man’s final frontier
Big Sky Buckeye 