Two till ten the river broke its banks flooding the fields with ale Quarter to twelve the rain burst forth from the hidden veil Nine to three Edvard screamed from the bridge again At half past four the sun shot beams
from clouds like fairy tales
Those twenty-one minutes passed so quick,
you'd think it was a nil
Five fifteen the wind bent trees
between the yellow glow
By six PM hail filled the cracks
while frost formed neatly still
Darkness fell at seven o'clock
And the lights went out at eight
Tell me now you men of haste
Why struggle to make the hour?
Deadlines come for those who fail
The same who reach the date
GJ Gillespie is a collage artist -- and new poet -- living in a 1928 Tudor Revival farmhouse overlooking Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island (north of Seattle). In addition to natural beauty, he is inspired by art history -- especially mid century abstract expressionism. The “Northwest Mystics” who produced haunting images from this region 60 years ago are favorites. Winner of 20 art awards, his art has appeared in 57 shows and numerous art and literature publications. He has contributed several academic papers in the field of communication studies. When he is not creating, he runs his sketchbook company Leda Art Supply.