The storm

     The sky was in turmoil, clouds building and racing in a direction only they could predict. The storm sirens were blaring as people ran outside to take laundry off the line and bring back trash cans. Stray cats sought shelter under trailers whose very existence was now in question. Birds still chirped, cars still passed by and lunch was even being served at the senior center. No one paid much attention to the television on the wall telling people to get off the roads and stay indoors.

     At mid-day the darkness covered everything, and bolts delivered straight from the heavens sought out their targets of destruction. Then the darkness was joined by rain that blanketed everything as far as the eyes could see. The pounding water destroyed dams and levees rushing down streets taking everything in its way. Cars became floating four-wheel boats and tree limbs rushed by a few carrying dogs and cats that couldn’t find shelter.

     It ended quickly but not before the landscape was changed. The general store was gone somewhere down the river I suppose. Houses are broken and scattered about like fallen stick soldiers in a toy war. The sun broke through and the darkness lifted. People came out of their shelters and emerged cautiously listening for the crack/pop of fallen wires. Neighbors helped neighbors; the cries of names being shouted heard throughout the town. Rescue workers showed up in boats and other vehicles assisting those who couldn't help themselves.

     I sat on my front porch a day later, drinking a cold beer. It has been thirty-six hours since darkness came to visit. I was exhausted but couldn’t rest for long as people’s names were still being shouted. The dogs were brought in to search, and every able-bodied man and woman rushed to find someone, anyone, alive beneath the rubble. I took one last swallow as thunder began to rumble in the distance and thought to myself, time wasn't playing nice. 

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