Two poems- one by my father, one by me. The subject: A storm.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

If you wish, you may use the following works as a comparison of two like minds. Going through my father's manuscript and then mine, I noticed we often considered similar subjects, sometimes in surprisingly similar fashion. Great minds and all that? I'll leave that judgment to you.

Enjoy.
---


THE THUNDERSTORM

Perhaps you’ve stood in a shelter’d spot
And watched a thunderstorm arise,
And seen potential power accumulate,
To flash asunder across the skies.

You’ve no doubt heard the mighty thunder
In crescendo roll o’er hill and plain,
Watched the squall line bending treetops
And bathe the land in torrential rain.

And as the storm increased in tempo
You were paralyzed by its might,
But with the final dark clouds passage
Sunshine followed, as day does night.

And, though the clouds were black and angry
While you beheld the awesome view,
The silv’ry borders soon contrasted
With the brilliant rainbow’s hue.

And as you ventured from your hiding,
To deeply breathe the fresh-scrubbed air,
Your heart joined in the songbird’s chorus,
As sunshine coaxed away each care!

Original work by Clarence W. Hessler
© 2007 Steven A. Hessler
All Rights Reserved

---

ROLL BY

Clouds like paintings
in the sky--
Soft-focus tones
and finger-swirls
move swiftly side-to-side
from one horizon
to the next;
exploring, watching
leisurely
the turning earth
roll by.

Mist like feelings
in the air--
Intangible,
almost un-seen
in morning swirls
or evening chills;
it clings to streets
for hide-and-seeking
with a friend--
Deep, unseen thoughts
roll by.

Rain like fingers
on the skin--
Icy-touching,
slicking hair--
Rumblestorm is raging on,
the pent-up feelings
hidden deeply, locked away,
are now released--
Dark gutter-streams
roll by.

Gentle breeze
Invisible--
Caressing like a
young child's touch;
warm and serene,
or cool and nice--
It's good to celebrate
the end of day;
a perfect time--
The raging storm's
rolled by.

Original Work by Steven A. Hessler
© 2007 Steven A. Hessler
All Rights Reserved

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. My dear Prisoner_Number_Six!

These are both wonderful poems...

But your father's has a slightly more old-fashioned feeling ...

And of course, it follows that yours is more modern...

But they're both very evocative and lovely...

Thank you for posting them...

I have a long way to go if I ever hope to be as good as you....

*sigh*

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

2. He always enjoyed sticking to "formal" poetry forms.

I did not- much of mine is considered "free verse", and there's an ongoing argument in poetry circles whether it is indeed real poetry or not. Whatever the final outcome, I don't care.

You're a bit further on than you believe, if last night's work is any indication.

Have you ever read Poetry Magazine? You should start- it's full of fantastic verse and great ideas. It would expand your ideas considerably.

http://www.poetrymagazine.org/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. You are too sweet, really...

I've decided that my poem from last night was largely no good, and I am trying to revise it...

I love "free verse"......that's what I'm doing.

I haven't read that....

I'll check it out........Thanks!

:hug:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. OK!

Just did an online subscription for a year......

Remind me to tell you how I like it.....

It starts in 4 to 6 weeks...

Looks good........Thank you again! :hug: