jagged lightning splits
angry, bruised-black skies
the clouds shattered by
shockwaves of thunder-
sound--very intense

the warning sirens
scream--the noise chills my
blood--fear grips my heart--
CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT
I'M SUPPOSED TO DO

strobe flashes of light
illuminates the
fear on my face--of
knowing the massive
storm IS STALKING ME

i know the roar of
rainfall mixed with hail
hides the screaming of
a tornado--i
imagine the worst

all i can do is
hide in the shelter
of a downstairs room
(central location)
i pray it's enough

the power dies--I'M
SURE I'LL BE NEXT--i'm
afraid--the thunder
outside absorbs the
thunder of my heart

i am shaking scared--
panic overtakes
my mind WHAT WAS THAT
breathing is ragged--
must calm down BUT HOW

sweat runs down my face
feel like i'm gonna
throw up--feel stupid--
'cause no one else acts
like this when it storms--

more time between the
flash of lightning &
sound of thunder--rain
seems to be easing--
winds are not as strong

the storm loses its
intensity THANK
GOD i've survived--it's
over--until the
next severe storm comes

(C) karla dorman, 2002