Dancers of the Storms

Summary

Erika Burkhalter's "Dancers of the Storms" is a poetic reflection on the sounds and sights of an Oregon fall rain, capturing the essence of nature's cycle through vivid imagery.

Abstract

"Dancers of the Storms" is a poetic piece that immerses the reader in the experience of an Oregon fall storm. The author, Erika Burkhalter, paints a vivid picture of the transition from night to dawn, highlighting the sounds of wind chimes, the movement of trees, and the gentle touch of raindrops. The poem describes the rain as a life-giving force, nurturing the earth and facilitating the cycle of life and death. It concludes with the dawn chorus of birds and the reluctant acceptance of the day's beginning. Burkhalter, a yogi, neurophilosopher, and photographer, shares her deep appreciation for nature's beauty and the interconnectedness of life, inviting readers to explore further through her other works.

Opinions

The author expresses a profound connection with nature, particularly through the personification of the rain and earth.
There is a sense of reverence for the cycle of life, as the rain coaxes leaves to return to the earth, symbolizing rebirth and continuity.
The poem conveys a preference for the tranquility and beauty of nature over the demands of the day, suggesting a contemplative and reflective mood.
The imagery used by the author indicates a keen observer's eye, capturing the delicate interplay between the elements of nature.
The mention of the birds and their behavior at dawn adds a layer of optimism and constancy in the face of change.
The author's multifaceted background in yoga, neurophilosophy, and photography is reflected in the poem's philosophical and aesthetic depth.

An Oregon fall rain

I slept with the windows open last night, and I heard it come in at dawn — an Oregon fall storm.

First came the tinkle of wind chimes, then the dancing trees.

Then came the soft patter of heaven’s misty breath kissing every auburn leaf, coaxing them down to the fecund ground, where she enfolded them in her lusty embrace, teasing them into mating with the mysteries of time, then aiding them in rejoining their ancestors residing in those thick, compressed layers of earth, where she knew, together, they would birth future dancers of the storms.

At dawn, the birds flicked open their wings. The tiny finches were the first to sing of the constancy of sunrise.

Then the crows began to fly into the pinkening, flapping like wet laundry on the line, crying like raspy old men complaining about the night.

And then the light crept into my room, too soon, slanting across my pillow, dithering on about the necessity of the day.

But I closed my eyes again, still listening to the softest of raindrops, playing with the leaves.

Erika Burkhalter is a yogi, neurophilosopher, cat-mom, photographer, and lover of travel and nature, spreading her love and amazement for Mother Earth’s glories, one photo, poem or story at a time. (MS Neuropsychology, MA Yoga Studies). Erika is also an editor for Mindfully Speaking.

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