The Storm

The stillness of the moment makes me pause and look outside
The skies are dark and gloomy and my mood begins to slide

I’m waiting for the clouds to burst and pour forth pelting rain
I’m looking for the lightning bolts and thunder’s loud refrain

I feel an eerie presence hanging thickly in the air
A heaviness and pressure seems to linger everywhere

There is a distant rumble so I step outside to look
It makes me kind of antsy so I go inside and cook

I light a scented candle and I turn some music on
Might as well exchange the worry for a melancholy song

Why not light a glowing fire to improve my sullen mood
And I’ll make an apple crumble to enjoy after my food

Then I sit and put my feet up as I read a much loved book
Suddenly the pending weather doesn’t get a second look

I get lost inside my story with the words familiar flow
Feeling such a snug contentment by the hearth-side’s warming glow

With the cat beside me purring I reach out and stroke her fur
Then I yawn and drop my book and everything becomes a blur

When my sleepy eyes awaken after my short peaceful nap
I see a flash of lightning and I hear a thunder clap

I blow out the flickering candle, snuggle with my nervous cat
Buckle down beside the fire as the rain begins to splat

Then the hail begins to plunder and the sirens start to blow
To the basement I must wander, with my cat and book in tow

But the lights begin to flicker and then darkness fills the room
Suddenly what was contentment turns into a dreaded gloom

Lord, please calm my fearful spirit, hold me with your loving arm
Please watch over my possessions, keep me safe from sudden harm

As I prayed I felt a calmness that I’ve never felt before
Though the storm outside was raging peace knelt by me on the floor

Wind, rain, hail, lightning, and thunder carried on for quite awhile
But the peace that God had given caused my trembling lips to smile

Then the lights lit up the darkness and the sirens blew no more
I rose from my sheltered corner , climbed the stairs, and out the door

Broken limbs and scattered branches, twisted pieces of debris
But the damage wasn’t drastic and the Lord had heard my plea

Lord, thank you for all your blessings, for your love, and for your care
In the midst of future storms I face, I’ll always know you’re there!

By Linda Hogeland ~~~ May 2009