lightning strikes
i cover my eyes
weaving its way through the cracks
in front of us all
shouting at the storm
we steady ourselves on your words
lightning strikes
the waves start to crest
we close our eyes and dive
unafraid
we see you walking on the ocean
our beacon
our breath
lightning strikes
sudden and full of anger
we are unafraid
linking arms because together we are strong
and you
shouting at the storm
a chorus of screams building behind you
lightning strikes
trembling and wet
the waves beat us relentlessly
and still we stay
facing the storm
and you
in front of us all
walking on the ocean
I wrote this poem for a dear friend, Lisa Bonchek Adams, who recently found out she has metastatic breast cancer. She is sharing her story with all of us here — you need to read her, it will change you forever.
I also started a facebook page for her that I am inviting everyone to join called, The Adventures of Flat Lisa, so that we all can take her on our adventures or our daily lives. We are all truly connected in this world, so share yourself.
First Pages 
i’m so sorry to hear about Lisa! i’ll keep her in my thoughts and prayers.
♥
*Love* & *Hugs*
Thank you Dani. xoxo
so sweet to come along side of her… may God grant you the gift of comforting her
Thank you for your support and encouragement.
I really like the poem, and the FB group as well. Thanks for adding me!
Thank you! I hope a bazillion people join the Facebook group.
Definitely going to be a rough road, but thankfully the love, support, and prayers of family and friends will do much to help. A lovely tribute to your friend and the fight she’s facing.
Thank you for your words, very welcomed and nice.
This is a wonderful tribute to a very brave woman – love the supportive group, arms linked, facing the storm together, and her, walking on the water.
Thank you, we (humans) do what we can when we don’t know what to do.
My thoughts and prayers are with Lisa! You are a good friend.
Thank you Mary.
And I tried relentlessly to comment on the poets united blog but it never let me. Silly blog problems!
Lovely poem, full of hope and courage. How nice you dedicated this to your friend. Best wishes to her for recovery and good health.
Thank you. I was so worried I wouldn’t convey the hope and courage I wanted to, so thank you for this.
a true poem, with the most enlightening voice.
cheers.
Thank you, much appreciated.
Wonderful poem about a truly heroic woman. Love the allusions to walking on the water. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for reading and commenting Mosk.
wow powerful becky….oy on what she is facing and i am glad there are people there to face it with her as well…the verse made me think of that Creed song…def though you bring the kind of encouragement she needs as she faces this…
Thank you Brian. She is a wonderful woman, surrounded by people who love her.
Yes, you have captured these feelings so well. And then in light of what went on with the storm yesterday, even more powerful.
I have my Flat Lisa all printed out, and now I have to find a wonderful place to take her.
xoxo
Any place you take Flat Lisa is a wonderful place!
Thank you Kelly!
Becky! I so love that you are such an awesome human being! The poem is fantastic…your message even more so…I’m off to the book of faces to take part!
Thank you for this Tash!
Prayers and well wishes for your friend Lisa. So glad you are walking beside her.
Thank you for reading!
As my daughter would say, sad face. Prayers and well wishes for your friend.
Thank you Laurie, she’s a very strong woman.
What gorgeous words! I’m sorry to hear about your friend. At first I thought the poem was written for Sandy (the storm). I think it works for both. 🙂
Thank you for reading! I hadn’t thought about the oncoming storm of Sandy, but yes, many storms.
I am so sorry about Lisa! But I also feel the tremendous love and strength that you give her.
Thank you for coming here Audrey! She’s an amazing woman.
As someone with a diagnosis, though one not nearly as bad a cancer, I’ve found that the news can be much more difficult for family and friends to handle. Sounds to me like Lisa has a good friend in you.
I think you might be right. I’ve received the news of cancer way too many times, I know the feeling from that end. So much sadness and guilt and uncertainty.
Thank you for coming here and commenting, very appreciated. Best wishes to you.
all the best to your friend Lisa! a beautiful write!
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, and thank you for leaving such a nice comment.
What a nice friend you are to show such kindness and love to her today, I hope your friend gets well and enjoys many more happy years.
Thank you. She’s a super courageous person… I’m just one of the bazillion people who care about her.
I love the power and strength you describe in this poem…much hope and prayers go to your friend Lisa!
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. I’m so happy the power came through, I wanted it to be strong.
powerful energy in this, masterful entry.
Thank you for this. I really wanted it to have power, so I’m glad of your comment!
Beautiful imagery. Lovely poem.
Thank you! I appreciate your comment.
Prayer for Lisa ‘Wa eza marizto fa howa yashfeen’ ‘and when I fall ill HE cures me’Allahs Blessings
Great poem of the harsh reality of natural disasters we all have to face in some form
Thank you for your kind words.
a unique poem, eloquent writing.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
We should all have as good a friend as I am sure you are to your friend Lisa.
Thank you for your kind comment!
I don’t think I’m so much a good friend as she is the kind of person who brings out the goodness in people.
Becky ~ Once again…another Masterpiece! Thank you, my dear, for ALL your creative efforts! We can all the personal efforts that you put-into-your-work!
Blessings, Bruce
Thank you… this was just the thing I needed to hear today.
lightning strikes
I think the use of a refrain at beginning or end of a stanza is very effective for the mood of the overall poem.
Thank you!
I’m saddened to hear of your friend’s cancer but glad she has someone willing and able to write her such a poem — that ends with her walking on water. Wishing her (and you) much strength and courage as you move though this.
Thank you Terri. She is very inspirational… a hero, really.