It was all a bit too haunting
clouds off the Black Sea coast
an evening to remember
each thing carefully selected by our host
lulled by Russian stories
from a war long ago
enjoying new friendships
so much we wanted to know
The storm came in a fury
we dined in an elegant tent
winds were upon us
the canvas torn and rent
Our host had seen such terror
in the youth of his life
as he looked upon his dearest
I saw him fear for her life
This tent could not protect us
but where were we to go
unto an open field
heeled legs burdensome and slow
No light to guide
except from pitch black sky
running in no direction
lightening tendrils did magnify
It Came down right before me
blasting the energy box
sparks lept before us
we thought that she was lost
Don’t ask me all that happened
that frightening stormy night
I fail to remember
all the horrors in our flight
A storm in a country
we didn’t call our own
we couldn’t speak the language
it certainly wasn’t home
but this I will remember
of that storm of that time
he saved us each from danger
this brave new friend of mine
Join us for One Shot Wednesday an opportunity to share your poetry with a community of excellent writers.
penned in moon dust 
Lots of war stuff this week MDW…
Great One Shot
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G- this was a war with the elements. The start of a hard but wonderful summer where I led and taught Ukrainian English camps
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Wait, I cannot fathom it being so strhdgatforwari.
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nice. this is epic moon and great story telling…sounds like a fascinating adventure…
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A story within a story… beautiful told.
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great story and like the way its told ….thanks you for sharing
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a dark poem, but with a not-so-dark ending… I believe this is greatly done. the eye of the storm, and the closing rounds out to a tale of bravery! bravo 😀
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Terrifying free from poem. Great story & imagery! Thank you Leslie for sharing it.
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I felt the fear, apprehension…and then the admiration of one who saw you all to safety.
Good Shot, Les!
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War with nature can be quite vast
As things can change pretty fast
For the elements have no rhyme or reason
Or any thought of treason
Nice way to end it too
Glad the war was won by you
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You’ve really impeessrd me with that answer!
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I’m impressed. You’ve really raised the bar with that.
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An amazing poem– you take us into a rich, detailed and frightening world. Thanks for such good work! xj
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Vivid tale, mdw. I enjoyed it, and this time will spare you the long lecture on free verse. ;_) Thanks for sharing your experiences in a distant land, where all is strange but human goodness remains the same.
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Wow what an experience. Events like that can really place life in perspective. Awesome poem.
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So scary and so well done, Leslie. I very nearly didn’t survive a lightning storm a few years ago – it was utterly terrifying so this poem resonsated strongly.
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So well done and so utterly scary, Leslie! I very nearly didn’t survive a severe lightning storm five years ago…now lightning totally freaks me out.
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Wow…what an interesting story you’ve told here or is it a recaptured moment in time?
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Love the story and the tribute to the brave war hero. Beautifully written.
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A great tale to share, it was intense from beginning to end. Enjoyed the composition and flow of this piece, it is delicate for the intensity of the story. ~ Rose
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I felt the fear, the iminent danger.. Well done, Moonie!
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Haunted by it…
eye for an eye
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Engaging and skilfully rhymed. It builds the tension and sense of danger brilliantly.
Great job!
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Great metaphor here, Leslie, for all the storms of life. Whether in comfort or in strange circumstances it’s important to hold tight and forge on. Thank you, Gay
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Nice poetic flow and I so loved “lightning tendrils” nice phrase. 🙂
Thanks for the visit!
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Nice ballad form. Don’t see many ballads around. I like that form. They are fun.
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you had me hanging on the edge of each lightning bolt!
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Gosh, I wish I would have had that inamorftion earlier!
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Reminds me of the stories coming from the East and Mid-west – Tornadoes and storms, but also could be about inner storms. Very good.
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Marvelous pacing and rhythm! I like this very much.
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What a great story! 🙂
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A lovely poetic way of describing something so potentialy deadly.
My 15 yr old keeps saying she wants a big thunder & lightening storm! I keep telling her be careful what you wish for, we could be without power for days, without a roof, or some such, don’t wish it on us for goodnes sake.
You told a lovely tale of a storm and of new friendship that blossomed from it too.
Lovely. Thank you for commenting on mine.
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Sounds terrifying!
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Storms are a great canvas on which to make a poem. I thoroughly enjoyed this poem and the storm. And I’m not much of a fan of storms….
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