[poem] Thunderbird Sestina
The sun has set. I call you, Thunderbird
Within my heart. Release the frozen storm
And free the chaos, break the chains of soul
That bind me. Numb, conflicted - torn - I pray
For guidance. Thunder, lightning, howling wind
I bid you calm to gentle, harmless rain.
The shower's spray, the quiet fall of rain
That heralds your arrival, Thunderbird -
I welcome it. The blowing, chill-soaked wind
Presages chaos; cleansing, driving storm
With wings of fury and cloud, to you I pray
For peace. Restore my weary, battered soul.
This numbness now inside my tired soul
Dispel; the pounding rhythm, beat by rain
Upon my spirit, grants the strength to pray
To you. Your power, mighty Thunderbird,
Destroys the ice that binds my inner storm,
And hides my cries inside your screaming wind.
My nerves are raw. The scraping, bitter wind
Exposes falseness bound around my soul.
The chains of duty placed around the storm
Are melted by relentless falling rain;
The downdraft from the wings of Thunderbird.
It is for this release I call and pray.
The frozen, ice-numb calm within me, I pray
You shatter; call the scouring, wing-born wind
To clear my eyes. Holy Thunderbird,
The conflicts tearing at my broken soul
Are mingling salty tears with drops of rain
Unhidden even by the sounds of storm.
Within me fury rages; counter storm
Destroys my inner peace, so now I pray
The currents harmonize, that pouring rain
Be water only, absent tears your wind
Would freeze. Return the thunder's pounding soul
To one who sorely needs it, Thunderbird!
O mighty Thunderbird! The raging storm
Within my soul is one with yours. I pray
My breath, your wind are one; my blood, your rain.