Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, STORM IN HAWAII, by MAURICE HILL



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

STORM IN HAWAII, by                    
First Line: The fiery javelins of heaven are hurled
Last Line: Its welcome notes to a golden dawn.
Subject(s): Storms


The fiery javelins of heaven are hurled
On zigzag trails to quivering earth;
While cannonade of the warrior clouds
Proclaim abroad the tempest's birth.

The mountain ranges loom, revealed
Within the glare of light that flies
So quickly, yet returns to begin
A new attack from the lowering skies.

The first plump scattered drops descend.
A breeze pricks up its foxy ears,
And scampers out to be on hand
To shake and slant the silver tears.

The torrent falls with a savage rush,
A filtered sea turned upside down.
Hawaii smothers, caught in the folds
That form the train of a misty gown.

Each mountain gulch a waterfall,
Each stream a flood of whirling foam
Which carries upon its swollen face
The tragic marks of bridge and home.

The country fields are marshy lakes;
The towns are crouched in quiet gloom;
The island roads are dark, forlorn,
As beat the ceaseless drops of doom.

A waterspout is viewed from shore:
It twirls on high, then bursts to spray
While tidal waves, that pound the coast,
Leave sampans wrecked along the way.

Cyclonic wind goes twisting past
And rudely bends the tapering palm
To fashion a whim, yet cannot break
Its pliant body, firm and calm.

The storm abates as twilight appears --
The wind, that whipped the trees, has withdrawn.
Another day . . . a mynah shrills
Its welcome notes to a golden dawn.





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