The Front Windows
by Laurie Kolp
Thick wooden slabs cover the front windows
carefully bolted with splintered hands
rushing to prepare for the likes of Rita and Ike
hurricanes who stormed paths
and tumbled trees like dominoes
crushing roofs
ripping homes in two
breaking down fences
flooding
blowing
invading
destroying
until
the
end.
Returning from a forced vacation
or awkward reunion with forgotten relatives,
weathered hands unbolt the solid plywood-
restitution for the suffocating windows
now able to breathe freely.
Thin makeshift screens replace the board
during the aftermath’s lack of power
and harassed victims
become ants
treacherously
moving mounds
limbs
leaves
shingles
rubble
back and forth to the curb
a task which calls for confinement
in the boring house
for Jake and Snowy-
until the homeless dogs show up
perusing through the yard
sniffing things out
wagging tails
begging for companionship
the temptation becomes too great
Jake and Snowy break free
ripping the screen
to join in the canine melee.
*Click here to view this week's Big Tent Poetry prompt and results.
12 comments:
Very vivid and vibrant piece - Wonderful read!
A really dramatic memory, well recounted, with some lovely images. I'm not sure about the word "perusing" which makes me think of the dogs in a quiet corner, reading, rather than prowling predators!
Excellent and stormy poem you've presented here. I like the organization and shape, and the forces of nature that return to play at the end.
Very vivid details and remembering. Strong piece and, for me, ended too soon.
Elizabeth
Laurie,
You have described the scene perfectly. I lived in florida during hurricane josephine and I remember it quite well.
Pamela
You paint such a vivid picture of what it's like to live through a hurricane. The splintered hands, the canine melee--great details.
Thanks for your comment on my blog.
Very vivid images of the destructive force of a hurricane,and its aftermath!
Beautifully written. Lovely read!
Thank you so much. Funny how that exercise led to this... a memory I won't long forget! I really appreciate the comments!
Thanks for capturing a hurricane.
Laurie, knowing you brings even more depth to this poem. Having been through Emily while in Bermuda, I was in someone else's house... the former Princess Anne of England - the hotel was her residence, so I had no fear that the building would stand! This was a deeply personal and effective poem, filled (rightly) with chaos.
Peace, Amy
I particularly like how original this reads, including the forced "vacations with family" and the stray dogs calling the children to play. That last idea is super.
Well done!
And glad you found the Tent -- welcome!
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