December 4, 2023:The Day of the Storm
Ashok Subramanian
Poet | Author | Poetry Review | Book Review | Featured Contributor at BIZCATALYST 360
I am writing this poem as Cyclone Michaung makes landfall north of the city I live, Chennai, in South India. ?
The little innocent drizzle
Innocent puddles
For little children
?
Today’s marvel
The roving eyes from space
Diagnose Nature’s health
?
Depression turns disturbance
The insanity visibly forming
A whirlpool of fluffy foams
?
Beasts, birds and humans
Fishermen far out in the sea
Rush home to safety
?
Nature’s seasonal wrath
a destructive dance of divine
a violent benevolence of bounty
?
Monsoon mayhem
The TV host shouts
Quieter texts for peace.
?
Then – it starts
The incessant anger in the rains
almost like a pushy rant
?
The squalls came in waves
shooting wet, sharp arrows
who is angry with earth?
?
The humdrum of the wind
sometimes a whine
then an angry hiss and a growl
?
Grey, dark, wet and angry
No drumrolls at the distance
No dazzling show of lightning
?
Angry and business-like
That’s how Michaung is
That name sounds like mayhem
?
Now the pitter-patter
just a resonance of anger
no sweeter any longer
?
Majestic and tall trees
Now swaying to the squalls
Firm roots now feeble
Desperately cling to earth
?
No more bird songs
Once sweet in the stillness
Silent and shivering somewhere
?
Wet pigeons seeking refuge
Behind silent air conditioners
Beneath sills of closed windows
?
Inside my house –
No power, internet, or office calls
Yet, Bare feet now adorn slippers
Floors damp and cold
?
Outside my house –
A car rushes out
Emergency work
Leaves no choice
?
Those frontline soldiers
领英推è
Facing the wrath of Michaung
Warriors during disaster
?
The furious wind roars
Winning the race with rains
Blowing the watery arrows away
?
Nothing nice about nature now
The Universe always speaks
If only we could listen – at least now
?
Our hubris humbled
It’s a fantastic mind far beyond
Our ability to fathom
?
Perfect time for power cuts
When powerless is safe
A wise decision by
Those in power.
The windows rattle a bit
Startled by the sneaky wind
A cold thief sets us shivers
?
The still candle flame
Amber oasis of the dark
For humans and insects alike.
?
Trophies and plaques
Symbol of our measly victories
Glorified and swaying
Of the long shadows
?
Videos on the fury
And snakes and crocodiles
Fistful of funny memes
Texts about our safety
?
We list our favorite food
Surprise that I have many
And the foodies can’t find any
?
Yoga and meditation
A family thing these days
And dinner together
?
A morsel of electricity
Just enough they decide
Little flickers go off ?
?
No fan –
Twenty-three degrees
For a tropical city
A heaven in fury
?
Water and wind compete
In the dance of the divine
Drowning us in the deluge
?
A day unlike any other
Ends in our slumber
Under a little blanket cover
?
Counting our blessings
Praying for the victims and
Thankful to the warriors
?
The dark city sleeps
drenched and drowned
Little do we know…
What awaits us tomorrow.
?
~Ashok Subramanian ? 2023
Hospitality Manager, Writer, Author, Poet
1 å¹´Such a powerful poem, felt like I was right there with you because I knew you were going through this. Floors damp? Did the water seep into your house? Any damage? I'm really glad you 3 are safe. I have seen some very unfortunate occurrences due to those floods there in the news. Only you could come up with this amazing poem in the midst of it all!
??Founder, Highbrow Scribes Publications *WE WELCOME ASPIRING AUTHORS ON BOARD* Valour is my Olive Green?? ??Completed a Certificate course for Women Entrepreneurs- Empower Her Journey by UNDP-Villgro
1 å¹´Stay safe...God bless