Onslaught Cloud

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        When courage is smoke,

and it takes far too much effort

to build a mound to stop the flood,

        when fears and the bleeding winds of reality

destroy the indestructible diamond, turn it

into dust particles, lapped up

by the tongues of unsuspecting animals,

and the storm, it digs a wound like a valley,

red and brutal,

        when that happens, it is time to sleep, dream

of better days, watch TV, read and listen to other people’s stories,

bury your battle-slain heart under the covers and wait

for meaning.

        Meaning when found will restore courage,

soothe the raw chasm, give faith in the setting sun

and maybe even

press up against you, thundering,

a glorious beauty.

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Copyright © 2020 by Allison Grayhurst

amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst

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First published in “Medusa’s Kitchen” September 2020

http://medusaskitchen.blogspot.com/2020/08/birds-of-flame.html

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Published in “The Academy of The Heart and Mind” October 2020

https://academyoftheheartandmind.wordpress.com/2020/10/20/world-away-and-other-poems/

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You can listen to the poem by clicking below: