Soil trickles through my fingers;
once moist, black, vibrant
filled with nutrition and life,
these dry, parched earth pieces
now grey, lifeless.
Nothing grows in a drought;
the cracked creek bed
I walk in holds only
dead shells of crustaceans.
Wind blows dust
like dirty thirties,
drivers blinded
by dark clouds across roads.
Window ledges covered
in layers of fine sand,
gardens dull and brown,
lawns crackle underfoot.
Without rain, soil only
just another container
for future food,
future life, present death.
Author notes
One of the creek beds near our acreage a few years ago dried up for the first time in anyone's memory. Walked along the dried out bed collecting empty sea shells. Fields nothing but dust bowls - no crops growing at all.
Written February 23rd, 2006
A contest entry
- Rain by kales4.
450 points, ended July 21, 2008, 90 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 7 of 7
-
The imagery in this piece is so powerful it's like you've painted a picture with your words. Thanks so much for sharing and keep up the good work
-
Thank you for entering my contest. The piece is ironic given the tittle of the contest. I loved the metaphor of soil being a container. When it is put into these circumstances the earth seems weak and feeble as if not even the own ground can right itself. Nice write and good luck
-
This is an interesting piece. I get a sense of despair from the words and images. But I always look for a positive and take comfort in that a drought is always followed by rain. Nature seems to find a way to balance things out. Thanks for this poem, I enjoyed reading it.
-
It is so obvious to me that you are evolving by leaps and bounds as a poet. I love watching that process- i love when a poet discovers their poetic voice (like my daughter has) And then i love when a poet takes the next logical step (as you have)
You are creating some beautiful images here- infusing aliteration and crispness in with your words. Thank you so much for taking the time to pen this for the contest.
m -
Wow, reading this piece actualy made me want a glass of water!
Good luck in the contest. This is a good poem you have penned. Thank you for sharing it. Now i must realy go and get a drink of water! 
Again, good luck.
-
wow that was a lil sad. lol a world without rain is deff. sad. keep it up
-
I think that you have done a fine job on this poem. Keep up the good work.
Adding your comment:
1 - 7 of 7
