NIGHT WIND


The Mountains cold and dark
Clouds layered ocean blue
Then granite gray
Above the night clouds bellow down
Like pillows ready to burst

I have seen this before
Soon the sky will have a halo of green
Then a funnel will form
One of the greatest terrors
Of nature will bare down on us

There is nothing subtle in this moment
The Lightning begins
Thunders rocks the building
Screams of fear all around
Ozone in the air

Hail falls from above
The funnel approaches the earth
Winds tear limbs from trees
Still the thunder reaches into my bones
She is coming with death in her heart

Where to hide to run from this demon
Plaster falls from the ceiling
Fear is in control now
Lightning strikes every few seconds
The sky black

Cars are turning over in the streets
Trees now falling against my window
There is no escape
I run to the bathroom
No basement to hide from the onslaught

The sound of a train passing too close
Will I survive this night
The room rattles the window shatters
The giant winds destroying everything
Nothing is safe

Silence a gentle rain
The tornado is gone
I live but all is out of joint
I open the door rain coming through the roof
A tree branch on my bed

I walk down the stairs and outside
The sky is green a quiet green to the east
Above me the clouds are soft
Peaceful light and welcoming
All that remains is to clean up and start again


Michael V Hechtman