Idol Survivor: "Now The Storm"

[halfshellvenus]

Now The Storm
idol survivor | daily-fic challenge, day 10

x-x-x-x-x

The storm unrolls the sky
as I wait beneath this oak,
the hair along my neck
rising and listening—
or just waiting
to be struck down.

Hours ago, it was clear—
a bright, warm Spring day.
Now the air has shifted
(the wind, the sky)
and trouble sprints
to close the distance.

What was I thinking,
going out so freely
and easily, as if the world
could actually be kind?

I should have been
more careful, yes—
more careful, watchful,
always something more.
We gather facts
against the future,
but they never
help us here and now.

We try to hide from lightning,
brave the thunder,
but we forget the stubborn rain
will always find us.


--/--

Comments

[gunwithoutmusic]

This is why I always carry ponchos in my hiking backpack. I've never actually had the opportunity to use them (well, not when I had them, anyway; the only opportunity to use them came before I purchased them), but they're always there, just in case. Especially in Florida, rainstorms pretty much only come without warning. I love the language you use here; you're really good at finding the right way to describe something in beautiful but easily-accessible words.

[halfshellvenus]

I carry a poncho too, in my fanny pack, for the same reason. I never need them now, but once burned, twice shy.

I also have a plastic shopping bag and a bandana, because one of the things I NEVER saw coming was being on a hike and having the bottom of my hiking boot start to peel off. I didn't even know that was possible! But even glue dies-- and so does rubber, for that matter. Ugh. :O

I'm glad you enjoyed the language! I do love an evocative turn of phrase. :)

[murielle]

Under a tree? In a lightning storm? No, no please, no!

Beautiful! You had me right there with you. <3

[halfshellvenus]

Thank you!

You always hope that lightning isn't coming, that it'll just be rain and maybe a little thunder. But it's kind of a metaphor for life--you seek shelter, but it often isn't enough. The storm will still somehow find you. :O

[alycewilson]

True, that rain always seems to catch up to us, no matter how we try to plan.

[halfshellvenus]

Whether it's actual rain or just the troubles of life--we can't hide from everything, certainly not all the things we wish we could.