
Grass grows patchy in bristling brown spikes (if it grows at all). The smooth-complexioned face of land now sunburned and cracked under unrelenting heat. Fields once flush with fruits go barren, pleading through parched throats and chapped lips that no kiss of water or answered prayer has yet come to soften, for August doesn’t care about religion or rain dances.
***
FOWC, W3, dVerse, and retroactively Poets and Storytellers United. I took inspiration from Timothy Price. Also inspired by one of my own poems.
That is an excellent drought poem that captures the dry and desperate plants and landscape. Thanks for the link. I so happy gave you a little inspiration for this wonderful piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. The image of the rain as kisses craved by the thirsty ground really stuck with me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
seeing that cracked and thirsty ground every day makes an impression.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great poem that depicts drought completely 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on From guestwriters and commented:
Who knows, July and August will be recorded as the warmest and driest months in Europe since records began.
One can only hope that now, with all the fires and other natural disasters that are coming to our regions, there will be a greater awareness that something must be done to combat global warming.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nicely done. August does make the plants beg and plead for a small sip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I felt for the poor plants!
LikeLiked by 1 person
People seems to be having opposite curses in different parts of the globe. One by fire, one by flood, one by drought.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Confession: this poem is made up, as, to my knowledge, my geographic region is not experiencing a drought. I just thought it was believable so I wrote it. But I do think it’s interesting that there’s such divergent experiences of weather globally this time of year.
LikeLike
This is incredibly palpable and tugs strongly on my heart. I especially resonate with; “Fields once flush with fruits go barren, pleading through parched throats and chapped lips that no kiss of water or answered prayer
has yet come to soften.” Thank you so much for adding your voice to the prompt ❤❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Land is tricky to personify, but I really liked this image and I am glad to hear it resonated.
LikeLike
Terrific!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, darling.
LikeLike
You captured the aridity of an August bereft of rain so perfectly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
Love this spot on poem.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It seems that this description is unfortunately apt for many geographic areas this summer…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, too little rain in many places, and too much rain in others. Even flooding in Las Vegas, which normally has very little rain.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does seem like a season of extremes in both directions
LikeLike
Unfortunately August has its dark side. An excess of heat is too cruel.. Good alliteration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It definitely has a cruel side, no question.
LikeLike
Wow, great poem. I love it. Felt like this could be about more than one kind of drought. Great job 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks! Yeah, I felt this could apply to more than one type of unanswered prayer. Thanks for providing part of the inspiration
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLike
Your verse is especially germane this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is. Although a bit distressing that so many regions seem to be experiencing brutal heat this summer
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is true. August doesn’t care. And I live her mostly because she’s getting me closer to fall. Yay.
So I adore Autumn.
Your poem, lovely. I adore it to pieces too. Thanks for sharing. Blessing as always.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your comment offers such a positive spin on August, and I shouldn’t have expected anything less from you Selma. It probably comes as no surprise that I, the eternal pessimist, have a consistently negative view. Last August, I wrote this one (https://jewishyoungprofessional.wordpress.com/2021/08/03/current-mood/) and after all that whining, I booked a totally selfish impulsive vacation for myself and had a great time. Moral of the story – complain less. Thank you for sharing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delightfully vivid! We just had some severe thunder storms last night… I’ve been “kissed” enough!!
LikeLike
the land and lips are telltale signs. This made me realize I’m thirsty.
LikeLike
Indeed, August can be merciless … in Central Oregon I awaken many mornings to hazy sun and the smell of distant wildfires. Your poem is exquisitely composed.
LikeLike
Absolutely stellar last two lines!
LikeLike
All your inspirations have coalesced into something new and potent.
LikeLike
Waiting for the relief that is never coming…agonizing.
LikeLike
Dunno how I missed this one! The funny thing, I find August to be a relief in some way. No need to feel at odds with all the blooming greenery. We’re all dry and dying and depressed now!
LikeLike
I’m really impressed that you just made this up, JYP – it’s incredibly vivid and believable.
❤
David
LikeLike