Pleasant quiescence, filled my dreams
As sunlight seeped through the window,
Placing warm shafts of chiffon streams
Upon rested forehead aglow.
Awareness, vague; consciousness slurred.
Contentedness, a slow pavane
Rolling as waves gently demurred
To the onset of daylight’s scan.
Awoken! Fear! an implosion
Of senses wretched with panic;
Walls shook from the explosion
Near! Loud! Possibly volcanic!
Then calm, a tease to the jarred soul,
Mocking tensed muscles perplexed;
Car alarms cried out distressed, the toll
Rang strong of screeching seagulls vexed.
Frozen, currents of confusion
Rippled down the length of my spine,
Reality or illusion
Both sealed facets yet to define.
The neighbours’ doors opened, wide eyes
Scrutinizing the street unchanged,
Finding comforting smiles arise
Through nervous pleased greetings exchanged.
Tortured sea its secret revealed
Looks silently towards the coast;
Centuries old memories yield
To the Earth’s perpetual boast.
© Edward Beaman-Hodgkiss
(Written shortly after experiencing the earthquake)
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
well living in northern california as i do,, i know a thing about feeling earthquakes… fortunately all the ones i have experienced to date were not destructive… i live two miles off the san andreas fault and work on the other side of it,, so i am praying when the big one comes i am not at work,, or i will be on the part of california that is supposed to slip into the drink!!!!!!
couple things beaman,, i haven’t forgotten about your prompts,, i have you in my reader,m,, i am just being more selective about the prompts i write for right now,, but i assure you my friend,, when yours inspires me,, i will be there…
in addition, i just want to let you know i am posting my new poetry on justpaisley…. now, and i sure would love it if you came over and had a look….
I’m very happy to see you here Paisley.
I heard about a recent earthquake in California but it was not a serious one. It must be rather frightening know that a big quake will one day hit.
I have noted your new website and will be sure to visit.