Ruskin Ruin
poem by:
Rachel Cartwright
Written
on Apr 17, 2012
One afternoon, clouds piled up People were going about their own ways Nobody even had any idea Of what was about to take place But later that eve, I went outside In awe of a strange sound I went running out on my front porch Watching the dark clouds surround Whispers of wind, warning of trouble The sound had yet begun For now the wind was screaming and roaring As if it was telling me to run But my eyes drifted to the southwest Curiosity took it's toll I just had to see what was wrong And what made the wind act as a troll But then suddenly my eyes were captured By the strangest sight Green and black clouds in the horizon Clouds darker than night Full of ominous clouds rotating Swiftly up and down and around As if they were racing in circles And lowering to the ground The neighbors were all gazing too At the tremendous sight of horror Everyone were on their front porches All curious to see more It began to pour down blinding rain Then large hail began to fall But soon after that it was now snowing I was completely in awe Suddenly a strange stillness took over the air So silent there wasn't a breeze The wind, the rain, the hail, the snow Everything just ceased As the sun peaked through the clouds Shining peacefully through You could hear the sound of the birds tweeting They thought it was over too But all of a sudden the noise came back But this time it was so much louder The sun was no longer in the sky And the wind took back it's power The deafening thunder was roaring with anger The clouds were racing from north The blinding lightning filled the sky As the trees swayed back and forth As I looked back at the horizon I couldn't believe my eyes It was a huge tornado on the ground Coming my way in surprise Then suddenly I wasn't able to run or move I couldn't even walk All I could do is gaze at the sight Cause my body was in complete shock The wind roared like a hungry lion As dust and debris stabbed the air All leaving nice houses in shatters And people in tremendous despair I could feel the ground shaking Debris was flying everywhere Enormous clashes of glass shattering And bombs exploding here and there Closer and closer, the terror sounded The twister was almost here I never thought this would happen It was as if it was a nightmare I could almost taste the danger I could hear death shouting goodbye over and over But all of a sudden I got a hold of myself And ran back in to take cover But as quick as a fly The monster was here with danger While thinking that my life was gone The twister went around my house with anger Instead of mine, it was my neighbors The house the twister had taken Now all that was left was a few little boards And nobody to be awaken But fainter and fainter the sound got As the twister shrewdly left Softer and softer booms in the distance Til there was no sound to be theft Ruskin Heights High school Was a school that was close to here But after the twister had passed over it The letters R U I N were all that was there Now all that was left was ruins So many people in despair If only they knew what was going to come On that one afternoon in 1957 That day that nobody had any idea That day of great regret That day with so many lost memories That day we'll never forget That day of a disaster When many lost their homes Twas the day of a great storm The tornado of Ruskin's Ruin ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* The Ruskin Heights Tornado, May 20 1957 Based on a true story...
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Bel Baca commented:
I liked it. Nice imagery. Reminded me of when I lived in Florida and we hunkered down when the hurricanes came around.
Ezra Uzair
commented:
NICE!!!
Rebel Riggs
commented:
Well done you...This is very moving and grips me with every verse.
A previous user
commented:
Great!
greg woods
commented:
Very captivating, and gets the heart pumping, can feel the terror.
Angel S
commented:
Such words really give the readers such an insight to where it is as if we, the readers, are /there/ with you in your memories. Very well done!
ann parks
commented:
very atmospheric for an english person who will never see this.........well done Ann
louise bridges
commented:
I love how you have captured every moment of your story and made it into an amzing poem. well done!
Milton Robertson
commented:
Terrifying, Very well told, can almost see it. Very Good...
Elizabeth J White
commented:
I like how this poem came together so powerful great !
J J
commented:
Wow! I have entered the eye-of-a-storm and rode upon a tornado (a couple times now). I could 'feel' the first-hand view in this. Bravo!
Robert Folland
commented:
Very nicely written :)
Elizabeth J White
commented:
wow
Melissa Marker
commented:
This was sad but I liked it I like that you took a true story also and brought it to light again but in a poem
john steele
commented:
this was a very wonderful peace indeed it sad to hear all them bad memories indeed I loved you write you do it so wonderful everytime I can wait to read another one of your writes
Edward shields
commented:
Great poem.
Louise Wyatt
commented:
Wow. The imagery is amazing. Thoroughly enjoyed your take on a true story... Keep writing!
Maria Williams
commented:
Kept me on the edge of my seat. That was great
Jazz Force
commented on Nov 28, 2017 at 3:48pm
Blinding rain? Watch those cliches! try juxtaposition of disparate images ala surrealism. May not be your thing, but will help with imagination. Readers want to hear what's never been heard. Your voice expressions are infinite..
Frank Hornby .
commented on Dec 07, 2017 at 12:44pm
I felt the anxiety all the way through the poem...brilliant!............the pathetic comment immediately above mine is not from a true poet......just ignore it....
Christopher Russon
commented on Jun 14, 2018 at 8:17pm
A horrific moment for all concerned sad time indeed,well written.
Reeves
commented on Nov 05, 2018 at 7:39pm
Enjoyed the poem
Jazz Force may have been right but
such comments may only be worthy
from someone better than him.
Mushobozi Baitani
commented on Mar 22, 2021 at 7:32pm
Awesome poem
