.
Where do we hide
when Mother Nature
swings her fist
into the mesh
of continuity?
Who engineered these promises
we thought were tempered steel?
The shrapnel of reality
cuts through our paradigm
as we shield our eyes
from fire
and the collapse of illusion.
Where do we draw our water now?
How can we bake our bread?
.
.
(c) 1995, 2017 Betty Hayes Albright
Thoughts and prayers to those affected by hurricanes, fires, droughts, floods, violence, and other disasters of late. May the help they need so badly be forthcoming.
(Originally written for Kobe, Japan after their disastrous earthquake in 1995.)
.
.
Seasonings 
Beware, if nature is upset she packs a mighty fist!! 💜💜💜🥀🥀🥀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! And she seems to be chronically upset these days! 😤😱
LikeLike
I think we have messed with her too much and she is out of kilter! 💜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most definitely! 😖💙
LikeLike
Indeed 🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍃🥀🥀🎊🥀
LikeLike
Such a powerful and beautiful poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you most kindly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your poem captures just how small we are in the cosmos. Beautiful. Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I appreciate your thoughtful comment!
LikeLike
So true. 💛🙏💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, I appreciate your reading this, Val. 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
swings her fist / into the mesh / of continuity? – powerful image that captures what appears to be happening, esp recently Houston to Florida then P.R. and then Calf., seems to be intensifying.. And people do get caught up in that illusion that these things happen out there, on the tv screen, on their Facebook posts. May those who can be generous continue to be generous for the all o the victims.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I second that – we all need to do whatever we can. Even if it’s just to meditate and send positive thoughts. Thank you so much for commenting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are definitely all in this together…(K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so right, Kerfe – thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your words hugged my spirit with their beauty, very nicely done! Thanks for the smile that lasts Betty!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you liked the poem, Wendell. Thank you for reading it!
LikeLike
My mind is not always normal…well rarely…so I thought about the old commercial “It’s Not Nice To Fool Mother Nature!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember that commercial. 🙂 Sort of prophetic. (Re: your mind – join the club. It’s what makes us poets. 😉 )
LikeLike
These last weeks with so much devastation and so many people forced to the ground, has made me think about where I put my energy and my gratitude. Your poem captures the knowledge that can’t take our lives for granted.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sharon, I feel the same way. We can’t take anything for granted. It’s always been that way, of course, but now more than ever. Thanks so much for your comment. ❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! This poem really packs a punch! With global warming, of course, it may not just be Mother Nature who is to blame. These words, I’m sure, speak for many and it deserves their attention. It reminds me of ‘Ode to my Generation’ for it sheer memorability.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for calling this one memorable! 🙂 Of course you’re right – Mother Nature has become more of a victim than a cause, with human-created global warming. Unbelievable that so many are still in denial about that. (Don’t get me started…. 😵😬)
LikeLiked by 1 person
she will always be a force to be reckoned with, we are mere pawns in her circle, yet we need to cooperate and treat her with kindness and respect. We are all a part of the whole none the less and destruction tends to either bring out the worst or the best in humanity, I have faith we will come together each time and rise to help and serve ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I so agree, Kim. If only everyone understood the part about kindness and respect for the earth…. hopefully someday that lesson will be learned worldwide and nations will stop politicalizing environmental issues.
Until then it’s good to see that the majority of us do come together to help where we can.
Have a good week, my friend! ❤️💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Life is fragile. We forget until we are reminded.
Another fine piece, Betty. No unnecessary flashiness. Direct and arresting.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much Ben. I appreciate the compliment! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said. It’s so sad what’s been happening around our planet lately. Currently Ireland is being hit by the remnants of Hurricane Ophelia and here in Wales we’re in its path – thankfully just the tail end of it, but it keeps everyone who is and has suffered badly from hurricanes, floods, fires – closely in mind.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Val, I hope the storm won’t be too bad where you are! Do take care. It does seem like there are a lot more bad storms than there used to be….and more extreme weather in general.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks. It seems to be easing a bit here, but is due to hit Scotland later. Yes, the weather’s getting bad everywhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s been a stormy fall for everyone so far. Makes me wonder what winter has in store for us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Swings her fist into the mesh of continuity” – indeed. We forget it has only been a short blip in human history that we have presumed comfort from the elements – most of us, anyway. One thing about living close(r) to the earth is that we observe and are perhaps more prepared for chaos, which seems more the norm in the landscape. But global warming is ratcheting up the odds, for sure.
Great post, Betty. Nicely written.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re right about that, Bela – the global warming thing. Thanks for your thoughtful comment, as always, and your wise perspective. 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is powerful truth is this poem, Betty. It is just so well done and powerful.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks very much, Thomas!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The love you have for our world should be multiplied over and over. This my wish. Beautiful poem, Betty.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s my wish also, Audrey. Thank you so much. ❤️
LikeLike
“Collapse of illusion” makes so much sense. The egoistic, superficial facade we create is bound to fail because hell hath no fury like mother earth scorned. Great post! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Mahesh. I appreciate your perceptive comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Betty, this truly resonated because of living so close to our recent fires. We were only affected by smokey air, but the location is close to our heart with friends living there and also a place of respite for us, weekend stays and wine tasting. As we watched the devastation on the news, our hearts broke more and more. I pray your words, as well, and thank you for this lovely post. 💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lauren, I forgot you lived in that area. The smoke must’ve been awful. (We had some very bad smoke here a few weeks ago from various fires around the Northwest so I know what that’s like.) Glad you weren’t directly affected. A friend of ours wrote that his mother had to evacuate for three days and that one of her students died in the fire. Just awful! I know it’ll take years for the area to recover and heal from that fire.
Take care, my friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For a few days, the air quality was bad and many stayed inside, if possible. But, your friend’s mother’s story is one that tugs at the heart. There were some stories of people who had died that haunted our sleep, and we’re just hearing about it on the news. I can’t imagine what any of the victims are going through in the heart of the tragedy. I agree, the recovery is going to take a long time…xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t imagine either, Lauren. With all the recent disasters people are numb and the news stops following up. They just move on to the next thing and most forget quickly, which isn’t right. Am just glad you’re okay!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you, and was recently thinking of the Las Vegas shooting victims after all the fire devastation….on to the next story is right.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Powerful Betty! Yes, I think nature and the Universe are reasserting balance – time for man to listen and respect where we can contribute and take responsibility for our thoughts and actions! More and more of us ‘waking up’ methinks – each in our own lives joining the flow that just is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rob! Yes, more of us are waking up. Unfortunately the powers-that-be in this country are still in the dark ages and undoing all the progressive things that previous administrations have accomplished for the environment. Augh! Don’t get me started. 😫😵 We just have to hang on and hope we can set things on the right path again. Thanks again for your input! I always appreciate hearing from you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a pleasure to visit – and yes, the powers around the world are going to have to change from their self-serving approach to one that benefits the environment and the people. Here too! Interesting times we live in. The event horizon is here (if we haven’t already passed it!).
Do hope you have a great weekend 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I heard we passed that event horizon long ago but hard to know. Things are changing so fast… Not sure if we’ve reached that critical mass of positive energy yet. Younger generations will hopefully rise to the occasion! 😊
You have a great weekend too!
LikeLike
A powerful poem, Betty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cynthia!
LikeLiked by 1 person