A Violent Sunrise

 A Violent Sunrise 

By Rebecca Longtin

Gray skies close in. 
Fog meanders 
between the hills and among the trees. 

I’m taken aback as I round the curve 
and see a newly risen, colossal scarlet sun 
hanging low in the sky. 

Wispy fog clouds dance 
in a mocking frenzied haze 
as they are then set on fire. 

In a choreographed move, 
the fog unites to overcome, 
smothering the brilliant red rays. 

But the sun’s fiery flames find renewed energy, 
pushing back and spreading 
as far as the eye can see. 

And then as suddenly as it all began 
the battle between the sun and fog is over.

The sun retreats higher, 
once again right-sized and less red. 
The fog meanders back 
to the valleys to be among the trees. 

A flock of geese in formation

soars across the sky.  

I continue down the road 
in awe of the show I just witnessed.

A Single Water Drop

 

A Single Water Drop

By Rebecca Longtin

Laying on this cold, hard rock

that divides the stream, down river 

from the falls, I listen.

I try to follow the path

of a single water drop,

as it joins with countless others,

meandering, 

etching,

forever changing

the Earth around it.

Such an insignificance

made significant 

in aggregate.

Lake Superior, March 1, 2015

Today I came across this beautiful poem I wrote about an opportunity I had years ago to explore the ice caves on Lake Superior. 

Lake Superior, March 1, 2015
By Rebecca Klamert*

The sun's radiance peeks from behind wispy clouds,
taking a bite out of the Canadian wind

We travel over compacted snow.
polished by wind, and
marked by souls of many

Rolling ripples flow over smooth surfaces as
rough waves etch a path to shore

Clear glass, a window to the sand and rock below
contrasts frosted panes providing shelter for fish
Minuscule soda straws surround cracks
that at times expand with a loud croak

Shelves of ice, all sizes and shapes,
form detailed mosaics.
enlarged molecules as viewed through a microscope, and
tiny veins branching out from a larger artery

Snow dust skims across, a water droplet in a hot pan,
performing a delicate dance

Along the shore chunks of ice mix with soft snow
Piles of broken shards crunch with the weight of my boots
Taps of hiking poles play a soft symphony,
a xylophone marking their rhythm

The sun dips lower in the sky
and angel rays stream through the clouds

*This was my name at the time the poem was written.

Poem written one stormy night on the beach

Untitled

By Rebecca Longtin

the darkness closing in 

waves pound on the shore 

white caps harshly bright 

reflect faraway lights 

my heart rate elevated 

my footsteps steady 

my mind matches the sea 

I disappear deeper into the obscurity

In the Quiet of the Darkness

In the Quiet of the Darkness
By Rebecca Longtin

In the quiet of the darkness
the evening grows long
as the sun sets early
and the temperature drops.

My eyelids droop deeply
searching the escape of sleep.
I seek out a distraction to stay awake,
a podcast, an audiobook, social media….

In the quiet of the darkness
I find warmth under my Grandmother’s quilt.
Eyes closed, sleep now escapes me
as the film of my life plays and replays.

You in a starring role feel so close.
So many questions remain
although the tears have long dried.
I drift off to sleep.

In the quiet of the darkness
a train rhythmically rattles by,
a Carolina Wren sings her song.
Morning has come too soon.