Poem, Sonnet

Howling Wind

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Written for David’s Weave Written Weakly #190
where Sally has prompted us to write a sonnet
including a line from William Wordsworth’s
“The World Is Too Much With Us”.
This is my response. Thanks, Sally!

Image by Me & Leonardo

The winds that will be howling at all hours
Across the fields they whisper,  soft and bright
In darkness deep, they waken unseen powers
And lift the soul toward the stars’ pure light

Through tangled woods where night has lost its way
These gentle winds will guide with tender grace
Their breath a balm upon the brow of day
A quiet strength that time cannot erase

When morning breaks and dawn lights up the sky
The winds once fierce now sing a softer tune
Their whispers urge our spirits to fly high
Toward dreams that shimmer like a silver moon 

NAR©2025
#W3

This is “Howling Wind” by Alela Diane

W3 Prompt #190: Wea’ve Written Weekly

All text and graphics are copyright for Nancy Richy and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

61 thoughts on “Howling Wind”

    1. David, does our response need to be a rhyming poem? I have a dialogue from 2024 but it is not a poem in the pure sense of the word. It is definitely a conversation. Is that acceptable? Nancy xox

      And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.

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    2. David, do our responses have to be a rhyming poem? I have something to submit but it is not a poem in the pure sense of the word. It is a true conversation. Would that be acceptable? Thanks, David xox

      And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.

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  7. You captured the many faces of the wind, gentle ( breath a balm upon the brow of day – love this line) and fierce. The wind is such an integral part of life here on the prairies. I’m not sure I have reconciled with it or ever will! Beautiful song choice.

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    1. Thanks for a very beautiful comment, Heather. I said it before a couple of times that this was not an easy challenge for me and I had second and third thoughts about participating. Obviously in the end, I decided to stick with it and I’m glad I did. I’m delighted to know you enjoyed my attempt at a sonnet and that it was relatable. Now you have me curious …. where are these prairies you mentioned? Are you in the Midwest of the United States or are you one of my Aussie friends?

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      1. I’m very glad you stuck with it! It was a pleasure to read. I live on the Canadian Prairies. I miss the mountains, but I have come to love the beauty of the Prairie, especially the sky. The province I live in has the slogan ‘Land of the Living Skies’.

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  8. I loved that you leaned into the wind for your poem. The winds have been howling here in upstate New York for the past three days. They wake me up at night. You remind that they are not always howling. 🙂

    I love your poem. I’m so glad you accepted the challenge. And I always love the way your find a song to go with your post. This one was an artist new to me, and so perfect.

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    1. I’m so glad my poem resonated with you, Sally. For me, the wind was the only way to respond; I could feel it calling me. This was such an interesting challenge, and I found it a bit daunting, having never written a sonnet before. I’m glad that I stuck with it; it turned out better than I thought and I’m proud of it. Music is a huge part of my life and I use it in everything I write. There were some tried and true songs I could have used as my soundtrack, but I really wanted something new and this song and artist fit the bill. I’m so glad you enjoyed both my poem and the song. Thank you very much, Sally.

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  12. Such a beautiful sonnet, Nancy. I found it to be deeply comforting, especially in those lines about “tender grace” and “a quiet strength that time cannot erase.”
    And then the end with the winds urging our spirits to “fly high toward dreams that shimmer like a silver moon,” leaves a lingering sense of hope. Thank you.

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    1. I’m so glad you like the music, Jim. I could’ve easily gone with Kansas, but their song is just too predictable. I wanted something different and Alela Diane fit the bill. Her voice has a unique quality, a tone I can really sink my teeth into. I don’t usually go for female singers, especially the ones with high-pitched voices; this was a nice find. Thanks very much.

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  22. Such a beautiful descriptive poem Nancy, I’ve read it through many times, … howling winds, … may they ever be peaceful for you, … Seasons Greetings my friend, … have a great Christmas, … I’m taking a short break, …💙🤗🎄. ( 🎶 I’ll just exit stage left, bare footed, listening to Alela Diane🎶)

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