[Poetry] Hello, Storm! by Erin Johnson

Hi Ocean!

Yells my two-year-old godson.

Hi Ocean! Hi Rain!

His mother and I have taken him to the cliffs

to see the waters of the day

crashing together.

His bright ruffle-tuft of hair

is whipping in the wet breeze

as he throws his small body

halfway out the car window;

prevented from flying off with the gulls

only by my grip on his striped sweater.

Oooh! Look at the stormy black Ocean.

Hello, Waterfall!

Hello Waves! Sploosh!

Hello Mr. Wind!

When do we stop greeting

the forces that arrive in our lives?

Lost in the dedication of

here-to-there,

looking only for things

we’ve decided to seek or avoid?

I wonder, can I meet the arrivals

of the coming year this way?

Hi, Morning Tea!

Hi, Ants!

Hello, Late Fees!

Giving salutations to each visiting guest,

whether invited,

or not.

Hello, Sage Plant and your heart red blooms!

Hello, Dirty Dishes!

Hello! Anxiety!

Hello, Love!

Perhaps not with the same delight

as a small boy on the cusp of three,

but hopefully, with the same recognition.

As we all yell together now,

with extra gusto,

Hello!

Hello!

Hello, Storm!!!

Erin Liana Johnson serves as a clinical counselor in California’s beautiful central coast where she spends many hours marveling at the resiliency of both her fellow humans and the landscape. Recent publications include “The Throats of Shells” (Kelp Journal, Ocean Poetry Anthology, 2024) “How Not to Get Raped (In Greek Mythology)” (Landing Zone, Lore Anthology, 2022) “Loneliness” (Hip Pocket Press, Canary, July, 20222) Her work has also been used in radio plays, multi media art pieces, and her favorite so far: a third grade school assembly.