Flash-Storm (Couplets) Poem by Gert Strydom

The day was humid and very warm
which brought a sudden flash-storm,

from cobalt blue the sky turned gunmetal-grey
the twisting wind swept an entire acreage away

blinding blue-white filaments filled that iron-grey sky
and the farmer thought on that day that he might die,

while a entire crop of maize next to the barn was thrown,
from a nearby sloping ridge mud streamed down

as much water as in the Vaal-dam poured on the farm
but not a person or animal it did harm.

The insurers said that it was an act of God
and no one thought this statement odd

as if He send his army of mighty angels to ravage a crop
and all over the place they did trees whirl and drop,

for God that farmer had no kind word to spare
although through life He did for him care

and the farmer cursed without end
after living through this dangerous event,

at a time some thought his faith to be strong
but he did not realise that everything does to God belong,

that life on this planet called earth is a kind of test,
filled with heartache, pain, happiness and joy at its best

and what a person is and have is only a gift and grace
while he cursed God openly to His face.

© Gert Strydom