Writing Group: Poetry – Folklore

The prompt this week was folklore. I chose to write about the Thunderbird from Native legend. Each Native tribe that has a Thunderbird story tells a unique version. My poem pulls from serval versions of the Thunderbird story. This is not meant to represent any one telling, it is simply for creative purposes.

Thunderbird: Described as a supernatural being, the enormous bird symbolized power and strength that protected humans from evil spirits. It was called the Thunderbird because the flapping of its powerful wings sounded like thunder, and lightning would shoot out of its eyes. The Thunderbirds brought rain and storms, which could be good or bad. Good – when the rain was needed or bad when the rain came with strong destructive winds, floods, and fires caused by lightning. (Definition from legendsofamerica.com)

Do you have a favorite bit of folklore? Let me know in the comments!

To fly, to soar, to feel
Feel the wind beneath 
My broad wings
I ride along subtle 
Ever shifting currents
In the wide skies

I feel the change 
Electricity dances
Along my feathers 
A storm is brewing
I flap once, twice
Soaring across 
Darkening heavens

Thunder rumbles 
Sign of my passage
Below I know they
The humans, rejoice
Dry lightning flashes
The air has been so dry
Never meant to be gone
Absent so long

There was battle 
There was blood
Our hated enemy
The great serpents
We won
We saved humanity
But at a cost

I witnessed my brother
My nest mate
Fall
Wings clipped
Vibrant plumage
Stained scarlet
Grounded forever
Our greatest 
Fear 

My cries then
My sorrow
Brought endless rain
Brought floods
Brought more
And more 
And more 
Loss

I vanished 
To allow them
To rebuild
But my time of 
mourning
Has left the once
Verdant plains
Barren
Once great herds
Decimated

I return 
To bring the rain
To refresh the earth
To protect the people
To remember
To do my duty

Thank you KW Photography for allowing me to use your wonderful photos!

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