Friday, August 26, 2011

Weathering It (Poem)


Hurricane Irene as Seen From International Space Station


Weathering It

Diane turned herself into a killer.
Donna mostly liked to spin real fast.

Agnes sported a meandering eye,
while Gloria raced herself across

Long Island, trying to act all natural
as she scooped up beaches in a hurry

to get to sea. Bob made off with a more
sparing touch, restraining winds offshore,

but flooding Floyd caused one awful rush
for higher ground even as Rudy took

command in the lower ward. Neither
Isabel nor Ernesto had fixed designs on

the living so far north, getting themselves
downgraded when they could have been

impressing their case on the city that never
ever sleeps. Big-girthed Irene, she's got

our attention now, promising she'll go
one way or the another, as soon as not.

Just don't take me lightly,
she's been telling us all week.

That tremor might have made earth
move and your buildings sway but me?

Please! I can make your day.

© 2011 Maureen E. Doallas
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The news today is replete with stories about Hurricane Irene. I even came across a round-up of excerpts from short fiction, essays, and novels about storms by Sylvia Plath, Joyce Carol Oates, and other writers of note and this scene from King Lear proffered in Irene's honor. The poetry's been a bit sparse, however; so, after reading one more New York Times article about New York City's history of weathering such storms (I have a vested interest; my son lives there), I wrote the verse seen here.

Feel free to add your own couplets in the comments section.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nicely put Maureen. Good to have this poetic reference as we wait.

Violet N. said...

Like that "big-girthed Irene" and "don't take me lightly." Hoping all stays battened down for everyone in the storm path.

S. Etole said...

Your poetry gives us so much more than mere words.

Laura said...

Isn't it just like you to give Irene a poetic bent? And that satellite photo? Oh, my. Good research too. Love this one. Makes me wonder if Irene might give us more inspiration. Perhaps. Praying for all in the path.

Diane Walker said...

Hurricane Ike was a terrible tyke,
but hurricane Katrina was notably meaner...

Hopefully bad couplets will make you giggle as you wait to see how the storm plays out. I'll be thinking of you...

Anonymous said...

hurricane history in verse. i love it!
that is some photo too.