The wind has a low whistle, coming from the north east.
It’s the end of April. The wind shouldn’t be coming from the north east.
The clack of the windmill and a distant braying hound
lends to the sense of foreboding
the mechanical and lonesome sound echo over the grassland
I don’t know why the foreboding is so strong
even the color of the sky seems off
There’s nary a cloud, but a mist seems to float in the distance
could be just dirt, but it smells wet
everybody knows dirt don’t smell wet in the high plains
maybe I’m just being over much
maybe it’s the recent deaths - family and friends.
maybe it’s the state of the world
we’re due for a serious twister this year
irrational fear? or something else?
I don’t rightly know yet
I don’t want to wrongly know yet either.
I just know it’s awfully quiet for a Tuesday evening on the high plains.
The barn swallows and meadowlarks seem unbothered
Maybe that’s just the way it is before the end
Maybe that’s the way it was in the beginning.
That wind sure has a low whistle from the north east.
About the Creator
Diana Penn
Sinner being saved by grace. People Helper. Artist - photography, digital art, dabbler of words, creator of stuff. Weather nerd. Army Veteran. Mom of 3. Wife of 1.
Reader insights
Outstanding
Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!
Top insights
Compelling and original writing
Creative use of language & vocab
Easy to read and follow
Well-structured & engaging content
Eye opening
Niche topic & fresh perspectives
Masterful proofreading
Zero grammar & spelling mistakes
On-point and relevant
Writing reflected the title & theme
Comments (16)
Congratulations on top story!
Congrats on Top Story!
Amazing work! Congrats on top story!
It truly is something to be in observance of the world shifting right before you. Congrats on Top Story! Your words are captivating.
Well done, congratulations on TS!
Congratulations on your top story.
Oh the repetition is used so cleverly and deliberately in this poem! And the pacing is superb. I love these lines, in particular, "I don’t rightly know yet I don’t want to wrongly know yet either. I just know it’s awfully quiet for a Tuesday evening on the high plains." You establish the foreboding very well. I found this to be unusual in its structure and content; obviously very contemplative. It actually reminds me of the kind of poem I'd find in a lit textbook in college (Yes, that's a compliment!). ❤️
This has been well written, and there are many thoughts written. Well done on an amazing top story.
Woohoo, look at you with that Top Story award! Congratulations!
I feel that foreboding. Great atmosphere in this.
yay congrats on TS!
This is really well done. I could feel the anxiety.
The proverbial lull before the storm? Well done!
This was shouted out by Mr Crandell and I'm glad he did, as it was nice and thought-provoking. I loved the flow and the way you dug deep in just a few lines!
Sorry to be a bit late in getting here to read this! Anyone living in here in the High Plains knows that sound!. Well done!
Yeah, this reminds me of the other day when I was feeling ominous warnings coming on a clear blue sky day. Weird. Nice poem, I loved it.