Rise Up

• Therese Thomas, Grade 11, Ballarat and Clarendon College -
• Poetry
• 2018

Excellence Award in the 'Write Along 2018' competition

The push and the pull so familiar
A motion expected, awaited
But its beauty so bold hides the danger it holds
The turmoil supressed, holds its breath...then it comes
The raging flood that kills without shedding blood
As it bestows itself upon the unsuspecting
The broadcasted pleas of the hopeful
Their distress a roaring echo
In the ears and hearts of helpless bystanders
Roofs reduced to stepping stones
Smooth river beds that were once roads...
57...98...164...in the blink of an eye, they are swept away
Desperate pleading voices become hoarse from thirst
Marooned, and surrounded by the culling waves
No mercy is shown as destruction is sown
And nature collects its recompense