Storms ranting

Through the darkest of night
Into the morning just before dawn
Storms rant and rail
Rumbling and tumbling
Over my roof and bed.

Waiting just till I doze
Moments before deep sleep
Then gleefully pounding 
Joyfully pouring rain
Into my thoughts and dreams.

Abandoned Memories

Sifting through memories in the quiet of night
Walking down paths seldom traveled
One memory giving way to another
As if one walks through a house
Long abandoned by those who dwelt there.
Pushing open a door and looking in
Seeing dusty remembrances
Walking in and picking up memories
With the curiosity of a detective
Wondering just who lived there
Why these memories were left behind
Why that part of life was abandoned.

Spring Songs

Standing in the dark of night I hear them
For the first time in an unsteady Spring
They sing out, calling their names
Little peepers, tree frogs, occasional bullfrog
Calling, calling, singing in homespun harmonies.
Peep peep a deep, chee-peep
Echoing in the distant wetlands they sing.
Sitting on the just blooming branch 
Head just above water they croak and call.
Gaaruump a dump rump rump bump
The bullfrog carefully adds the bass line
As if he has just seen the music for the first time.
"It is finally Spring", they call and sing.

Lights of Home

Full moon and morning star
Lead me home to my darlin'
Headlights burnin' through
Swirlin' fog an' stirred up dust
Engine thrums my impatience
Up a hill an' down the holler
Crawlin' round that tight ol' bend
Patience worn an' razor thin
Eyes a squintin' hard
Round a corner another bend
Just there now... can't you see
Through the thick an' shelterin' trees
There, just there - look right close
Oh, yes... the lights of home.







Copyright 2012 Stephen Hollen is a storyteller living in Ohio, telling Appalachian stories and writing some ragged verse.

Wet Dog Day

It is a dark and dampy, misty morning
A smelly wet dog, flea bitten day
Thunder cracker-boomer-banger
Rumble an' grumbly sort of start
Snuggle buggle under quilts an' covers
Hide your head an' roll right over day
A day for fires burnin' slow like,
Woodstoves cherry reddish kinda morn.

Awaiting the Dawn

Those who love the dawn rise up early
Quietly slipping out of bed to dress quickly
Stepping down old stairs one by one
That one spot, comfortable and warm
Waits for us, inviting us to sit and watch
The spectacle of night giving way to day.
Sometimes our hands grip mug or china cup
Full of coffee, tea, warming hands and body
As the beginning of a new day warms the earth.
It is dark just now, still a few stars in the night sky
Yet soon, very soon the eastern sky will shimmer
Just hints of pink at first, then reds, oranges will filter in
And creation will replay that first day
When God stepped out into the darkness, looked around
Threw out a multitude of suns that rolled through the Heavens
Bumping and careening through creation, finding just the spot
Settling in and beginning to spin, throwing off sparks
Warming and glowing, bringing life and waiting, waiting
Till God, that Master Painter grins, lifts hand to a canvas of nothing
And speaks soft and low, not wanting to take all the glory
Gently, He spins that big old ball of gasses we await
"Let there be light."  And it was so.

So, we sit and wait, patiently.
Warm in the darkness, content,
For the first glimpse of morning on the horizon
For the first glimpse of dawn.

Cool Nights

The cool nights are like old friends
Slippin' in real quiet like,
Not wantin' to make a fuss
Not lookin' for any attention.
Just showin' up an' bein' there,
Like they was there all along
Chilly an' good for sleepin'.
Hot days will soon give way
The brisk days of fall
Will show soon enough
Wantin' everyone to notice.
Not like the nights
Cool nights, quilt nights
Nights you snuggle up
To the one you have loved
For ever so long.
Wrap your arms around them
Move real close to them
Feel the gentle heat
Burnin' low for more years
Than anyone realized.
Glad for the cool nights.

Night Sweats

I ain't afraid of the wind.
Blowin' at the roof,
Pushin' on the door,
Whisperin' at the cracks.

I ain't afraid of the dark.
Washin' o'er the house,
Standin' round my bed,
Wrappin' over me.

I ain't afraid of noises.
Creakin' in my ear,
Cryin' at the night,
Scratchin' to get in.

I ain't afraid.
I'm sure not scared,
Not worried,
Or concerned a bit.

I just like
To cover my head
Scrunch up tight
So, that's the end of it!