Adrift

Based on the Beaufort Scale, originally developed by Sir Francis Beaufort in the Royal Navy, 1805; modernized and standardized by the World Meteorological Organization.

Smoke rises vertically, like a mirror, ripples drift,
Leaves rustle wavelets, crests break, raise paper and dust,

Small trees in leaf sway many white horses,
Large branches in motion, whistling heard in telegraph wires,
Umbrellas discarded, some spray, sea heaps up
Breaks twigs off trees, chimney slates removed,
White foam streaks break into spindrift, high waves,
Crests start to tumble over trees uprooted,
White sea trembles devastation, widespread vegetation damage,
Debris hurled about, driving spray edges blown to froth