Everyday Poetry

Storm: central France Yesterday,  after eleven straight days of uninterrupted blistering heat,  we had a storm.  It felt exhilarating and I had to try and capture it - retreating with my notebook further and further under cover as it progressed. After days of blue-skied sunshine The dark rumbling clouds Take us by surprise, Creeping across the sky sneakily One by one, until They fill the sky from all compass points. Half an hour ago, Forced inside for liquid, Sweat dripping from my forehead, I'd lingered in the shade. Now the dark clouds blanket the sun, The garden prematurely dark, And evening-cool. As the temperature drops A brisk whispering lifts the leaves Anticipating the low rumble Echoing across the valley. A brittle crackle like radio interference Or a sparkling firework An indication of distant lightening Then thunderous booming again From south to east The clouds too thick to let the lightening through. At first, in denial Birds still...

Fishing My preference isn't for neat rhymes and meter,  usually going for free verse,  but this time it just came to me like this. The meter seems to drive the action forward somehow,  and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. Tucked in, concealed behind a clump of reeds He sits and waits while the hidden fish feeds The hook and line lie in wait Nestled amongst a pile of bait. A nibble,  a swallow,  the line is taken The bait alarm sounds: action stations! He strikes the rod, the tip is bent He plays the fish until it's spent Gently he brings it to the bank Admires the mirror scales on its flank A carp,  at least a thirty pound Is safely landed on dry ground. Released from the hook,  weighed,  photo'd, then Returned to the lake,  to swim again. © Copyright 2018. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved

Lazy lilo I've been using the small swimming pool here to cool off from the crazy heat, and had this strange sensation of being suspended between the blue of the pool and the blue sky. Drifting with the gentle breeze Floating this way,  then that Aimlessly round in lazy circles, Suspended on the very edge Between a clear blue pool Under a pale blue sky. © Copyright 2018. Chris Auger. All Rights Reserved