The power of life and death was given over to nature as much as it has been given over to man... When the man-made and natural collide it is hard to look away. M.True

Powerfully moving. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all affected.

in the fury of the tempest there exists exigency for decision, to move or flee - to err in that judgement can be fatal - all of our worst experiences, encounters are for whatever reason, indelibly etched within our memories - I thoroughly enjoyed this acid test analogy - one of your most poignant renderings jude - I wish you love and peace my dear friend - Jon Michael

I saw how the Bronx was hit, myself and another have been most concerned for your well-being.
Excellently told from a personal account.
Stay safe, matey! It was quite some bashing.

hope your area recovers soon, so many places I know have lot's of damage it the CT area.

So real Jude and emotionally moving.

Jude, The devistation of the storm is internal, so very sad, we have been praying and reaching out~ God Bless the East Coast~

You write deeply within all you do, for
there is much more seen (scene) here than
what the physical storm has brought...

All these provoking thoughts are something
I very much enjoy...

Love and Light
Lily

i sensed a play upon the words of the title "power lines" multiple perceptions here. Quite an image of that outline.

Jude,
Touching the intense and surreal emotions
in this poem. To Sandys wrath may there
be steadfast strength in the hearts of many.

Lady Mary Ann

Amazing, isn't it, that when we encounter surreal situations that we can scarce believe to be happening, they whip up latent and barely concealed depths of emotion that may have been preoccupying our hearts and minds unseen for a very long time? Storms certainly seek to control what is uppermost before us - both actually and psychologically - but often our prime concern is still that which we seek to keep hold of, buried in the depths of us. A graphic and horrific encounter that sends more than a shudder through me in the light of having just interred my cremated Willow's remains beneath such a favourite tree; my metaphorical storm is only just abating. Power lines - actual and emotional - surge at such times and very strong connections are made. And water is such a powerful electrical conductor: that's why I always wear stout, rubber boots about my daily walk on the heath; my own mother's life was saved by such a pair when she was electrocuted during such a storm once! Compelling scenario, Kartero, and I sincerely pray that power and gas are fully restored before the colder weather sets in. Time to share that great overcoat of yours with someone else in need... xx

As usual, your words give the thinking process much to contend with as there is much more to this than just a "storm." Merci, Jude. Amour et paix,

Régis

Well, I don't know that I'd agree that gaia has shown us all of her might, just yet... nevertheless, the seismic cataclysm seems to have the dog by the tail here and we keep praying that the aftermath of the storm won't bring out the worst in everybody involved... here's to your health and another fine poem, Jude.

Roger

Hey Jude,
It's good to see you posting, at least then we all know you weathered the storm...There is so much devastation all over Connecticut, mostly on the shoreline. It's a awe inspiring sight to see when that water rises into homes and buildings. There is nothing you can do but get out of it's wake...Hopefully there are not as many fatalities as our last storm a year ago. We were all forewarned for this one. None the less it's impact is stifling.
On another note, your poem makes me feel as though this is not all about the storm, but what affect it has on our lives as we knew them.
Sometimes Mother Nature really kicks us in the butt to wake up, well I have been kicked for sure...

Stay warm and full of peace, light and love,
Amber

Well crafted to the stench of this storm, has been rather unsettling to watch from so far away, in the land of Quakes, the shaky Isle of NZ..Be well, stay safe
Cherie

Glad to hear you're okay, Jude...the ancestors are charging your psyche from the cosmic power grid...things are changing within the blueprint...ridin' the storm out...this poem is very lenticular, the images branded by once again the powerful acts of gaia in all of her might...

s

We kept out power throughout the storm and still are with power which is fairly weird for us...hope u are fairing okay, buddy...e

Certainly "power lines" in
your poetry *jude* filled
with emotions..

Lady Vivian

I learned in my youth not to pee on an electric fence. Storm's will be done. Mess with a loose power line and you are cooked.

Ron

A potent scene here, Robert. So much of what we're seeing, on the TV and internet, is just heartbreaking. It's difficult to wrap ones head around it. I've been through one - Hurricane Camille August 17 -18, 1969 - when I was in the Army. Our job was to dig out the bodies. I've never forgotten what I saw in those two weeks we were there. Hoping you're well and safe.

So powerfully sad, and such a powerfully sad scenario today for so many caught in Sandy's wrath.

I am glad to see you posting, Jude, I guess that means you survived the storm. I often think that if we did not inhabit this planet or if we lived in a high cave somewhere, all this weather stuff would have little effect on us. Even when I lived in earthquake land, if a quake happened when I was somewhere out in the wilderness it was more like a wild ride than something that was scary; just hit the ground and enjoy the ride. Nature will continue to do what nature does and we will continue to build as an act of defiance. The conflict is eternal. Strong images in this offering.
Take care,
Sherry

The weather, powerful and unrelenting, Jude. I have ridden out many hurricanes, including Katrina. Why do I keep riding them out? Don't know, except my puny attempt at shaking my fist at God.

Poems so well done I can smell the smells and taste the despair.