Leaves don’t sway, gale force winds
shove branches against the house.
We sit in the cold, damp basement as
the sump pump argues with a storm
crashing into the yard.
If a tree falls, what should we do?
Reverbs, thuds and thunder
more frightening than predictions.
Two cats prowl while another buries
herself deep in the carrier for protection.
A visitor to our son’s and wife’s place,
we wait for all clear signs,
we wait
we wait in the cellar
for instructions.
Alarms simmer barely noticeable
above the din, hear them twice
and then told on our phones
to shelter again in-place.
Impatient, my husband wants to check
outside, we talk him down.
No, you cannot tempt her
she will take advantage,
swirl you into the heavens
which looks like hell,
we might never see you again.
Please stay with us.
Right here. This too will pass.
—
Writer, activist & spoken word artist, Margaret R. Sáraco, published two poetry collections with Human Error Publishing, If There Is No Wind and Even the Dog Was Quiet which was a finalist in the Eyelands Book Awards contest. She won first prize in the Moving Words competition for her poem “Dear Rorschach.”
