Summer Storm (2007)

Summer Storm

That boyhood summer’s day I walked through fields and woods,
Careless of the time and place and brave, when
Bravery was hardly needed. Further now;
Up the crooked mountain ridge that monstrous then seems now
Inconsequential. Turning, I saw reflected in the haze
The anvil clouds, and taking care too late, saw all around me
Shades of fear.
Bravery turned to timid cowering, and I turned, too.

Do I exaggerate the moment then, when all around me
Chaos, furious, let loose? Passing ancient trees, bent and
Misshapen by centuries of pounding rain,
A child in fear, I ran, thinking to outrun the clouds,
Hoping to outrace the rain.
But no match for Nature’s wrath, I, seeing
Cottages below, hammered on the first door and was let inside.

There, panes of green-hued glass shook in dreadful, timpanic fury.
Sounds of horror came from the sky and
Time upon time, a flash of light threw
Bright sparks skywards and
White shapes twisted, forming shadows against me.

I am safe now.
Years have passed and I am no longer
Frightened of the rain. Adult fears replace the beating gale and
These, darker than those summer clouds, are with me,
Always.