Katherine's Cove Storm clouds moved in a while ago, So did the trees, Slowly marching ever closer In an inward circle Cover your ears And try not to see them approaching Close your eyes To the screeching of birds That darken the sky In concentric swirls Count your steps Five, four, three, two … Backwards, into the rubble Until the fall Take a deep breath It’s time … Ignore the scrapes on your knuckles And reach for the rope Hanging quietly in the corner — It’s always been there. Come in out of the cold. november, 2010 Janet Reid