Approaching Storm

Just as in life or relationships, you can generally tell when a storm is brewing. The air around you changes – you can feel it – the air is electrically charged. It’s preceded by deadly silence. Birds fly to roosts, their voices becoming stilled in anticipation. Other times the wind begins to blow, clouds build higher - it becomes darker. Lightening begins or you hear thunder rolling in the distance. Sometimes the rain comes down furiously, so heavy that seeing a few feet ahead becomes impossible.

held in its fury
the storm lingers
voices are stilled

When Hurricane Andrew approached we were expecting its’ main punch, but at the very last minute it swerved and we received only the outer fringes. When over I was surprised to look outside and see my 3 acres covered in a carpet of fresh green pine needles. Driving to see local damage I was shocked to see places where bark had literally been torn from some of the trees (yet they stood), and sheets of metal (like foil) had been wrapped around telephone wires.

angry voices
slammed doors
- torn spirits

Such can be the destruction of some relationships, ripping the very bark of our spirits, or squeezing us so tightly it seems as if life is slowly sucked from us. As I watch this storm approach it looks mild – some wind, rain and lightening, but nothing life draining – but then, you never can tell the damage until the storm is over.

the approaching storm
builds and blows
lights flicker and go out