The Thunderstorm
Now comes discordant melody of chimes,
And clouds on far horizon dance with light,
And distant rumbling thunder gives me signs
A thunderstorm has come to end the night.
Now comes the pitter-patter of light rain,
Then plinking on the gutters, grill and roof,
And howling wind drives rain against the pane,
As I from nature's fury stand aloof.
A bolt of lightning turns the night to day,
Its thunder shakes the ground, my home, and heart,
And pine trees dance as their tops swirl and sway,
As if to say come play, don't stand apart.
A siren's wail says seek a safer place,
Yet beckons me and rain runs down my face.
Robert K. Goddard
December 2018
The Alpha Squirrel
(A Sonnet)
This poem was a finalist for the 2023 Royal Palm Literary Award Competition, and was Second Honorable Mention in the 2021 Mississippi Poetry Society Poetry Contest, Category: North Branch Award.
A Stalking Horse
This poem was a semi-finalist in the 2023 Royal Palm Literary Award Competition, and won First Honorable Mention in the 2020 Mississippi Poetry Society Annual Poetry Compteition, Category: Narrative Poems.
"The Thunderstorm" my first sonnet, won second place in the Mississippi Poetry Society 2020 Poetry Competition, Category: Storms, and has been published in The Mississippi Poetry Journal, 2020 Compteition Edition, and in the February 2022 Edition of the Florida Writer.
Copyright Robert Goddard. All rights reserved.
I Saw It Coming
(A Sonnet)
This poem was a semi-finalist in
the 2024 Royal Palm Literary Award Competition. The poem has not yet been entered in other competitions nor has it been published yet.
Other Poems
On Looking Back
Third Honorable Mention in the 2021 Mississippi Poetry Society Poetry Competition, Category: Narrative Poems.
People
Third Honorable Mention in the 2021 Mississippi Poetry Society Annual Poetry Competition, Category: Peggy Duke Memorable Award.
Vacant Space
Honorable Mention in Mississippi Poetry Society 2022 Spring Festival Poetry Competition, Category: Narrative Poem Award.
Executive Decision
(A Sonnet)
Has not been entered in competition.