It's autumn and I'd like to request no more fire, hurricanes, tornados and now let's put floods in there. It's heartbreaking. No rain since September the Gulf coast of Alabama, that's not right. I'm just waiting to go somewhere with lower temps, chilly rains, even a snow day, when my ship comes in. Beautiful words you share, glad I got to be here.
I'm glad you got to be here too, Birdy! Thanks for reading, and I second your request for gentler, cooler, wetter weather -- on your coast and on mine.
There were several years where I followed the AirNow app the same way as your wildfire map. We had to time, so carefully, when our kids could go outside during the massive fires. They didn’t touch our area, but the smoke made breathing painful. I can only imagine how horrible it must have been where the fires actually burned.
Elizabeth, rainfall in Southern California is a gift all its own--I remember how rarely it came when we lived there. Now in Seattle all these years I've grown to love the 'liquid sunshine' as locals call it; your poem captures the mood and feeling perfectly.
I'm so glad you enjoy the audio, Jeni! I always shake my head when I hear my recorded voice, half-convinced it's really someone else, but I love to read aloud and people who aren't me enjoy listening to it.
P.S. I saw your Note about the headache and sore throat, and hope you're starting to feel better!
As a Californian I know those fire maps well. I moved here the year of the Oakland Hills fire in 1991. Every time I step outside these days, I sniff for the smell of smoke. I can breathe again when the rains come. Both poems are wonderful. The first shows the juxtaposition of the lovely warm weather with the fire that can destroy it all. And the second is gorgeous, a deep breath.
I prefer the poem on rain for obvious reasons. The first one powerfully evokes disturbing images. So sorry the losses from fire strike so intimately to your being.
We know little of fire maps here, only floods. And yet, this year, we are so very, very dry. I can't remember our last rain, and there is none to speak of in the forecast, all the way into November. Thank you for turning the anxiety into something beautiful and precious, Elizabeth. When the rain comes again, and I know it will, like you I will consider it among our greatest blessings.
It's autumn and I'd like to request no more fire, hurricanes, tornados and now let's put floods in there. It's heartbreaking. No rain since September the Gulf coast of Alabama, that's not right. I'm just waiting to go somewhere with lower temps, chilly rains, even a snow day, when my ship comes in. Beautiful words you share, glad I got to be here.
I'm glad you got to be here too, Birdy! Thanks for reading, and I second your request for gentler, cooler, wetter weather -- on your coast and on mine.
There were several years where I followed the AirNow app the same way as your wildfire map. We had to time, so carefully, when our kids could go outside during the massive fires. They didn’t touch our area, but the smoke made breathing painful. I can only imagine how horrible it must have been where the fires actually burned.
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Just lovely Elizabeth, the rain tinging the slats like a tympani, everything I could ask for in a poem. thanks.
High praise! Thanks so much, Wes.
Elizabeth, rainfall in Southern California is a gift all its own--I remember how rarely it came when we lived there. Now in Seattle all these years I've grown to love the 'liquid sunshine' as locals call it; your poem captures the mood and feeling perfectly.
If a Seattle dweller likes the poem about rain, I know I did it right! Thanks so much for reading, Jody.
Rain is my absolute favorite, and it feels especially sparse, as of late. I find myself aching for it!
The last few weeks of the "dry season" feel soooooo long, don't they? Wishing rain soon for both of us, Kristine. Thanks for reading. 🌧️💛🌿
I love listening to you read your poems. Thank you for taking the time to record them. So many images to hold onto in these.
I'm so glad you enjoy the audio, Jeni! I always shake my head when I hear my recorded voice, half-convinced it's really someone else, but I love to read aloud and people who aren't me enjoy listening to it.
P.S. I saw your Note about the headache and sore throat, and hope you're starting to feel better!
As a Californian I know those fire maps well. I moved here the year of the Oakland Hills fire in 1991. Every time I step outside these days, I sniff for the smell of smoke. I can breathe again when the rains come. Both poems are wonderful. The first shows the juxtaposition of the lovely warm weather with the fire that can destroy it all. And the second is gorgeous, a deep breath.
Oh, the sniffing of the air ... ! Looking forward to the rain-smells, and breathing them in deep. Thanks so much for reading, LeeAnn.
I prefer the poem on rain for obvious reasons. The first one powerfully evokes disturbing images. So sorry the losses from fire strike so intimately to your being.
Thanks for reading, Shari.
"Morning's quiet trickles into afternoon" ... I love that line. Thank you again, Elizabeth, for your lovely words.
You found one of my favorite lines, Sulima! Thank you for reading.
We know little of fire maps here, only floods. And yet, this year, we are so very, very dry. I can't remember our last rain, and there is none to speak of in the forecast, all the way into November. Thank you for turning the anxiety into something beautiful and precious, Elizabeth. When the rain comes again, and I know it will, like you I will consider it among our greatest blessings.
Thank you for reading, Elizabeth. I wish us both slow, soaking rains, abundance with no overflow!