Its tornado season in the midwest, and Oklahoma City got hit hard again last night. Mom and Ray live there, and they are spending far too many nights in the storm shelter this spring. They will be moving to east Texas soon, and I’ll sure be glad when they get here!
Too Much Lemon
I wanted nothing more 
But to bask in peaceful bliss
In the shade of the willow
Sipping sweet tea with lemon
Watching the wind chimes
Sway and play soft music
Sounding much like a flute
Tuning for the night’s performance
The scent of lavender
Drifted on evening’s breeze
And I swayed between worlds
Dreaming, nay, believing
I was the heir of hope
Tornado sirens blasted 
Jolting me from my reverie
And as I ran to the shelter
I prayed my home would last
Through one more storm
Copyright © 2013 C Mashburn
Sharing this –a day late–on Kellie Elmore’s Free Write Friday. I’d intended to write something last night, but instead spent the evening watching the weather channel, as Oklahoma City got hammered by yet another massive storm system.
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jmdh said
I was thinking of your mom yesterday and wondering how close this one got to them. Sound like they made it through another one safely .
charlesmashburn said
Yep. No power, but they are fine and no damage.
Sherry Mashburn said
great poem . . . great visual!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you!
heidibarnes11 said
I’m glad to hear everyone is okay. For some reason Mother Nature is not very happy with Oklahoma. 😦 Lovely poem. A dreamy summer afternoon I think is what we all need.
charlesmashburn said
Well, it is tornado alley. Always has been. And, yes, dreamy (lazy) summer afternoons are nice. Especially if your lake or pool side.
buildingalifeofhope said
I love the juxtaposition of the images. My thoughts are with those in Oklahoma as well. Thanks for reminding us of how very lucky many of us are.
charlesmashburn said
Very lucky! Thanks for stopping by. I’ll be over to see what you’ve written soon. Running a bit behind today!
Ray said
Spending time in the shelter of my Lord
Better than the steel box in the ground
But very soon will bask in the quite country
side. Line in the water and no eye on the
sky . By the way bring a glass of cold
lemonade
charlesmashburn said
Gotcha covered on that lemonade, Ray Brown. Come on down!
neenslewy said
Beautiful – the beauty of the descriptions in the first verses juxtapose the damage and destruction of the final verse. Just as I imagine it would be – one minute fine and the next in the midst of some shocking, land churning storm.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much!
xxkultuur said
Beautiful poem, ornately expressed. I can taste that lemonade, almost. Wishing you all well out there.
xxkultuur said
oops, meant to say sweet tea with lemon. It is hot here though and my brain reverted immediately to lemonade.
charlesmashburn said
Ha! I almost used lemonade, but somehow the title was lurking, and so I went with tea and lemon. Thanks again!
charlesmashburn said
Thank you! I’m glad you like it!
Terry said
my favorite tree has always been the Willow. So graceful, swaying gently in the breeze. I love your photo and your post!!!
charlesmashburn said
I love the willow, too! I love most trees. We have a huge old oak in our backyard, and I sit and stare at it often. I love to watch the squirrels playing on its branches.
Thank you!
hibernationnow.wordpress.com said
Does it get any better than “Dreaming, nay believing, I was the heir of hope” NO, not really. Wonderful, well written, and beautifully descriptive. I’m a fan.Big fan.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you very much, Laurie!
lena de almeida said
Until you mentioned the tornado sirens I wanted to be in that garden, with those lovely scents and sounds. Glad that everyone was safe.
charlesmashburn said
I’m glad too! Also glad you liked the poem.
Suzanne said
I hope you and your family continue to stay safe.
charlesmashburn said
Thank you!
laughwithme45 said
Glad to read that your family is okay. The change in font color and emotion was jarring, I suppose just like tornado sirens would be.
charlesmashburn said
I haven’t heard those sirens for many years, but yes, they are jarring. Definitely get one’s attention!
Thank you!
Annie (@txstarkeeper) said
Charles … wow … from peaceful to reality … we all need more willow trees, lavender and sweet tea in our lives. My heart goes out to everyone touched by nature’s fury in the last couple of weeks.
charlesmashburn said
The trick is to be able to remain at peace in spite of reality.
Thanks, Annie.
Kellie Elmore said
Happy to hear your mom is safe and sound. ♥
and thank you for a delicious read, Charles. I felt as though I were sitting beside you with a glass of tea. And your voice…sigh. I love when I can nearly hear the words speak!
charlesmashburn said
Yes, other than a tree limb hanging precariously above the rolling mansion, they are none the worse for wear.
Thank you so much for the wonderful comment on the poem–especially the part about the voice. Sherry and I were just talking about that this morning, and agreed it is a large part of my writings.
I appreciate you, Kellie!
Mark said
Great piece Charles! Great reminder of how life is so unpredictable and unsafe at times so we must cherish the moments. God bless!
charlesmashburn said
Great comment, Mark! You are so right! Thanks!
Mark said
Charles, I just realized I am not following your blog? What? Well, I have rectified that, have a great day!
charlesmashburn said
Awesome! Thanks, Mark!
phylor said
The images of slow, summer days against the backdrop of tornadoes left me with such a sense of peace at first. Then, as you wrote, nature can turn to something less pleasant.
I’ve been moved by the people who deal with the destructive forces of nature. Good luck with any storms ahead.
charlesmashburn said
The destructive forces are always a possibility where we live, but not as much so as Oklahoma City. I often wonder why people choose to live n places where destruction is such a real and constant possibility.
Thank you for your visit and comment!
nessa1313 said
Lavender and lemon under a shady willow is perfection.
charlesmashburn said
Exactly! Thanks, Nessa!