I breathe in the fresh air
hugged between mountains
It's like I've always belonged here
amongst spring water fountains
nestled into a world that's
below bigger things…
but full of wonder just the same.
the river here knows my name.
my toes have grown up
wadding in her babbling,
counting the crows
on the pole wires gabbing…
they're still holding grudges
from the neighbor who ran them off with a broom.
You could count my life
by the rings in the young trees
that fell the year that the storms came
and cleared away everything.
they threatened to damn her
and I thought I was lost
and the river would never return.
But everything settled back
into the clay
the way that the earth does
after everything shakes
and I sat in the sun on her banks
and just laid in the dirt
marveling at what life is
and isn't
worth
________________ POET'S NOTE________________
This poem is an ode to the amazing, resilient, and wonderful people of Western North Carolina who are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
About the Creator
Ellie Hoovs
Breathing life into the lost and broken. Writes to mend what fire couldn't destroy. Poetry stitched from ashes, longing, and stubborn hope.
My Poetry Collection DEMORTALIZING is out now!!!: https://a.co/d/5fqwmEb
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Comments (2)
This poem is simply beautifully written! The image of life continuously reborn through storms reminds us of the resilience and beauty that the world around us holds. The phrase 'the river here knows my name' captures the sense of connection with nature in a magical way.🌞
This was beautiful enough before your heartfelt tribute in the AN. Love the sense of continuation in this poem.