I could drink the thunder in
some evenings, let the roaring
of it all put a rumble in my chest—
holler out, and be heard.
Yet I lack the grace that should be
winding through my veins by way
of my great-grandmother: a woman
who was not once, but twice,
slapped down by strikes of lightning.
She was not held down, though; no,
not this woman who was made of gods,
and held their power on the very tip
of her tongue. She could spit the ugliness
of this world out like a wad of snuff
and carry on, unhindered by any of it.
Not even the sky, with all of its glory
and ill intent combined, could take
a thing from Mrs. Veatrice Guttery,
the woman who swallowed lightning
and walked on, as if it was natural.
Originally published by Up the Staircase Quarterly – February 2015
Photo: “Old Lady with Black Eye” by Ernest Williamson III
Rachel Nix 
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
IMPRESSIVE WORDING! AOME HIGH PRAISE HERE.
WOW—IMPRESSIVE! And you could be greater than her, judging by your writing. 🙂
Thank ya kindly, but I’ll never have the light in me that she had. I can only throw words at that sort of brilliance. 🙂 I appreciate your thoughts, though, and thanks for sharing!
WELL…I’m glad you are modest about it. Still, EXCELLENT SUFF! That line about “drinking thunder” (THAT’S YOU!!!!) is classic. 😀
I most definitely appreciate your kind thoughts. 🙂 It gives me a lot of pride to share who I came from with others. ❤
I have a few of those kicking around! One most recent is entitled “MOTHERING SUNDAY”…I think. 🙂
I’ll have to go take a look then. 🙂
Beautiful. ❤
– c
Thank you! ❤