Dark Clouds

Clouds hung menacingly on the horizon,
He could see them coming for days,
Churning and swelling,
Seeming to have a life of their own
Like some swarm of insects 

The winds droned with a hollow hum
To be heard in the distance,
Somewhat reminiscent
Of the background music from some
Low budget suspense film. 

He went about his business
Trying to forget the impending weather
Knowing people he knew
Were in the direct path
And there was nothing he could do. 

And when the storm rolled in
Like a downburst cutting swaths
Through fine standing timber
He felt the air sucked out of him
Though he was left still standing 

And life goes on;
A new name for an old job,
An eerie quiet after the storm;
He sits at the edge of high tide 
And watches the retreat. 

It’ll be old news tomorrow
—Doesn’t make it taste any better


Janet Reid
november 2008