Afterstorm

Afterstorm

Approaching clouds disrupt serenity
as thunder pounds its drums across the sea
and gusts and gales that seem unmerciful
wreck havoc with a whole community.
Tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes pull
the plug on peace and steal complacent lull
to leave folks frantic, weeping, at a loss
to make some sense of nature's tragic toll.
Storms play no favorites, but whirl and toss
playing war with everything they come across--
seems nothing's spared if it is in their path.
But peace waits in the wings when wind exhausts:
Now help pours in throughout the aftermath,
a rainbow's smile replaces nature's wrath
and we rise strong from the chaotic bath.

Vivian Ramsey Stewart
Oklahoma City, OK
Church of the Nazarene