Variation on a glosa – Archibald Lampman’s “Thunderstorm”
toss in the windrack up the muttering wind
the leaves hang still above the weird twilight
the hurrying centres of the storm unite
an afternoon rain
starts without enough
warning though
to be honest you carry
a borrowed umbrella
walk the road
for the last time above you
the leaves toss in the windrack
up the muttering sky
the sky takes on rubbings
of charcoal rain-
patter paces your steps
but still you will not
turn back the umbrella
staves off the worsening wet
at roadside the leaves
hang still
in the weird light
you race rain for the cottage
where you lived as a child
quirk of the storm sluicing you
onto this particular porch
side door locked
new owners away you brace
the umbrella’s inadequate shield
wind shoves
against you rain streams
down your cheeks
directly upon you
the hurrying
centres of the storm unite