Farewell Special Feature: “Jovial Thunder” by Kaitlyn Frazier, Frequent Contributor

Jovial Thunder
Kaitlyn Frazier

From whence thou came
O’ dreaded emotion, fright?
From whence thou came
Approachen hastily thro’ the night?

Lurking ye loom
In the corners of mine psyche
Lurking ye loom
To bash mine countenance with spite.

Alas, mine state had become well
Now at yon hands
Mine state hath been cast
Asunder Styx and surpass’d.

What more can ye do
Than torture this martyr
With jovial thunder
And crumple all over
And anew.

Heretofore, t’was naught amiss
‘til the allowance of thy dreaded kiss
Now all is astray
O’ call on the day
And think not of fatal bliss.



Poet’s Notes: “Jovial Thunder” was composed during a time in which my anxiety was most profound. Throughout my childhood, I was afflicted with anxiety and depression, and high school was the worst time of all. All I really did with my life was read, write, study, and play video games, which naturally, all took place at home, thus making my social life nonexistent. At this particular time of composition, I was reading some extremely old literature from the Romantic Era that consisted of archaic language that truly fascinated me. I was inspired by this literature and felt the need to attempt my own rendition using this archaic language but incorporating more of a modern theme--although anxiety and mental disorders have been prevalent throughout the history of mankind, they are just beginning to be culturally accepted and understood.

I have a special side note for those who have anxiety at this time; it will eventually go away, but you must find it in your heart to let it go. It’s a complicated thing, but I had to learn that negative thoughts are what lead a person through a negative life. Your thoughts can influence your happiness, and they can literally consume you, if you are not careful and fail to recognize when it is time to seek help. And no, you are not crazy! You just have a much larger and caring heart than that of others.

“What is dead can never die, but rises harder and stronger.”--George R. R. Martin

Editor’s Note:  If Edgar Allan Poe and Sylvia Plath had a baby, she might have penned this poem.  I enjoy how the poet begins with traditional quatrains, evoking Greco-Roman mythology, and then, at the turn, switches to five-line stanzas.  The use of rhyme enhances the aural quality of the piece, as does the hyper-gothic language.   “Jovial Thunder” was a finalist in the 2016 Songs of Eretz Poetry Award Contest.

Sadly, this poem will be the last we see of Kaitlyn Frazier for a while.  Citing competing demands of family, school, and work, she has decided to resign her position as a Songs of Eretz Frequent contributor.  Her unique voice will certainly be missed.