A Storm Front Approaches

A Storm Front Approaches By Elton Camp Severe weather is expected for tonight Thunderstorms, high wind and large hail Loose objects such as patio furniture And garbage cans will be blown away Driving will be difficult and dangerous Especially for those high profile vehicles The usual weather bureau warnings Repeated to mind-numbing excess From the porch, I watch its approach For a time, nothing but inky darkness In the distance, sheet lightning faintly Its thunder too far away to be heard More intense and frequent it becomes The bare winter branches silhouetted Its thunder a low, menacing rumble Heavy raindrops splat against the roof Trees to the west of the house swaying A sudden, chilling drop in temperature The predicted wind strongly upon us Drove rain onto the porch and me inside The lights dimmed once and a second time The weather service radio blared its alarm The flashlights--where did we leave them Darkness except the courtyard’s solar lights Memories of the EF 5 tornado two years ago Minutes south of us a town devastated Families broken and homes in splinters The high school damaged beyond repair We cower in our safe inner hallway The wind howls and limbs snap and fall When it passes to the east, we’ll be free Others to face the storm’s awesome power