TORRENT

Ancient love,
I ran before the storm,
no power to take me for I was ever yours
- Ran Before The Storm, Roo Panes

I didn’t like driving through the storm,

within the thundering heart of it,

Yet made it home

and in the doing,

Found triumph.

Home feels like a fortress

Outside, the weather rages

And I can’t help but going again and again to the door

Standing on the edge of the

Wind whipping, lightning flashing

rain pouring forth

like an ocean turned upside down.

Slippered feet safe and dry

Glad to be away from the gas and brake pedals,

the white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel.

I watch, full of wonder

The billowing stampede of the sky

trampling upon the neighborhood

as ferocious

as it is life-giving.

My husband comes to the door as well

He beckons me outside

bringing towels so we can sit on the soaked patio couch,

now that the wind has turned another direction.

We huddle together, taking in

The scent of petrichor

The rivulets streaming along the edges of the yard

The might and splendor

The raging boon of rain in summer.

One day our son,

who will slip from baby to boyhood so fast,

will surely navigate through a storm of some kind,

as is the way of life.

I hope,

with my mama’s heart which knows I must prepare him more than protect him,

he will find courage despite the conditions.

Making it through

and in the doing

Find triumph.