WIND ON RAIN SLICKED SKIN – Jeffrey Yamaguchi

The fires were finally under control, so the road was opened back up. Not everyone knew this, so there weren’t many people around. An ideal situation on all fronts – open roads, no people, upon an expansive land in seasonal flux that had extinguished fire. I arrived in late afternoon, no time for a hike, or to even figure out exactly where I was or the location of the major points of interest. This was a good thing, too, as it was a more direct route to simply pulling over and making my way towards the water. A gigantic clear lake mirroring back an on again, off again thunderstorm is a portal to a realm in which anxiousness and calm slow dance until the sun goes down. I gladly succumbed to the wonder of the quiet ferocity of weather upon a vibrant body of water in stillness. Surrounded by trees upon mountains as far as my eyes could see. I tried so hard to just let myself be there. I dare not say the trivial places my mind went. But there were glimmers of clarity. Getting drenched by rain provided a wonderful assist, because I swear for a moment I was just one with the blur of the pelted, splashing water and the pouring, relentless rain. It wasn’t personal — everything there was swirled together, furthered entwined by the pulsing gusts of momentary winds upon lands that further our understanding of timelessness. The thunder that rang out was our collective reaction. Quickly, though, the storm passed, and I was just standing there, at the water’s edge, soaking wet. I made my way back to the car, turned up the heat, and headed back home.

 

Wind on rain slicked skin

swirling mist conjures a last dance

after the clouds break

Collapse of thunder

echoes of lands swept by fire

last stand at water’s edge

There lies every story

lapping of water on rock

the leaves take their turn

Then it will be gone

long stretch of a search in vain

a heavy rain falls

Drop from the sky’s swirl

stakes its claim for unknown realms

rolls forth to beyond

 

 

 

Jeffrey Yamaguchi creates projects with words, photos, and video as art explorations, as well as through his work in the publishing industry. His writing has been published by Spork Press, Quick Fiction, The Morning News, Alternative Press Review, Clamor, Fortune, The Glut, Pindeldyboz, The Hungover Gourmet, Word Riot and more. His first book was 52 Projects, and he recently released the short film Body of Water.

@jeffyamaguchi | jeffreyyamaguchi.com