A Poem For Springtime Volatility

I recall an advertising jingle for toothpaste that was frequently broadcast during my childhood. It went- 'You'll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.'

Naturally, as kids do, we amended the wording to, 'You'll wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with wet cement.'

I am sharing this little memory because one day last week my wife Vicki remarked on the spring weather and mentioned its frustrating variability. The day before had delivered welcoming sunshine and a bright blue sky. This new day had quickly morphed into a drab grey sky with clouds packing the promise of rain. The wind was slicing through the garden. Sun lover Vicki, remarked, 'I wonder where the sun went.'

It was at this point that old jingle sparked to life in my mind. It was an ideal poetic provocation. So I scooped it up and words began romping around in my head. A little while later, a poem began to reveal itself in my notebook. I further reshaped and polished it on my computer.

I Wonder Where the Yellow Went

Yesterday the sky

A clear and brilliant blue

Inspired hope

The sun on my back

Warmed my bones.

Today

The clouds

Wolf grey

Hang despairingly low

Like a sook’s bottom lip.

The wind is a bully

It slaps my face

Bending trees to its will

Shaking the leafing daylights from their branches.

I wonder where the yellow went...

Alan j Wright

It is Poetry Friday and this time our host is Jone Rush MacCulloch. Jone brings readers a post sharing a range of poetic prompts inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and Halloween. She provides samples of 'found' poetry she has cleverly created.

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