Autumn Tempest by Eden Nightingale

She walks down the old dirt road

bare feet creating no dust.

s

White skinned trees hold high their garlands of gold

dancing in the wind which whips dark hair across pink cheeks.

s

Her eyes search the sky of pale blues

worn through with twisting white mists.

s

A rumble, more felt than heard

accompanies the shifting pressure. 

s

Wind cradles the aroma of ice,

damp earth, and rejoicing trees.

s

She enters a meadow carpeted

in twisting stalks topped with pregnant seeds.

s

Arms outspread, they brush her palms

stinging her wrists.

s

Centered in the glade of dancing gold

she stands witness to the coming of the storm. 

s

Grey wings spread over blue

trees throw gold in celebration.

s

Then white is back, no longer in the form of misty clouds

now condensed in branches of the dancing trees.

s

Shivers run down her spine, like a drop of icy rain.

A call cuts through the air, a flash of weightless ebony catching her eye.

s

A raven circles, wingtips splayed as a hand in greeting.

She basks in the hum of life.

s

Then comes the rain.

A single drop touches her hand, then her face. 

s

She tips back her head, eyes open wide, enveloped in the storm. 

Deafening thunder shakes loose her laughter. 

s

Swirling clouds like water under an oar. 

Lightning releases its modesty and dances, unabashed. 

s

It looks like branches, or veins.

The energy in her chest is intoxicating.

s

Her cheeks are aching under the weight of her joy. 

Cool sweet rain lands on her lips, in her mouth.

s

There she stays, moved by the wind like the trees.

Rain turns to hail. 

s

The feeling of being pelted by stone—

still, she stays.

s

Soon the clouds retain their cargo

the sky regains its colour and the wind disperses

space

There she stands

feet and legs caked with mud, drenched to the bone.

With golden leaves caught in her hair

she feels clean


 

About the Author

Eden Nightingale is a Kootenay local currently taking Creative writing through Selkirk. She is passionate about art and can usually be found spending time with her rescue dove while writing or painting.

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