The Storm I See

I look around,

Everything is calm.

Nobody seems to see the storm.

I look around,

Smiles everywhere.

Nobody sees the despair.

I look around,

And then I cry out.

Nobody hears.

I look around,

I see the rain;

I see the storm.

The storm comes in, brazen and fierce,

all I can do is cower.

The storm comes for me again.

I feel myself twist away,

Everyone else begins to drift,

Gone.

Lost.

Everything is dark.

I look around and see myself, everywhere.

A monster.

Nobody close, nobody to fear.

Nobody to hear.

I smile and run; free.

I look around,

Bright colors are everywhere; beautiful.

Not monsters.

I look around and all I see is what I will never be;

Happy.

I see a bright light, a smile, a heart-

I break it.

I see a small light, a child-

I shun it.

I see a clear light, a love-

I lose it.

I see an intense light, a friend-

I fear it.

I see a gorgeous light, a dream-

I follow it.

I lost sight of all other lights. They fade away.

I still follow.

All the other lights flicker out, forgotten.

I follow.

Everything is dark, but I chase the light.

I fall.

In the dark, I realize the lack of light suddenly.

It's too late.

The darkness surrounds me, welcomes me;

I am part of it. I belong.

It opens its arms and smiles, and old friend.

The comfort of silence drifts in.

I smile.

Happy? I wonder. What does that mean?

I walk into the dark, unaware of the light hidden beneath.

The light is unaware of me.

I stop, mid-step, and spin around fast.

The path is broken, everything in ruins.

I am the storm.

My rains tear the ground, my winds whip the trees

Humans flee.

I refresh the land, I let the strong stand.

But the humans, they leave;

Nobody likes a storm.

Nobody wants to stay and face it.

I grin, arms spread in joy.

I shout

I stomp and cheer!

I holler and whoop, this time not in fear.

I stomp in rhythm and sing a song-

I am the storm, and I am strong;

I won't disappear!

You can't forget me, for I am always here!

I cackle with glee "I'm here! I'm here!"

Thunder cracks, and then all falls silent.

Stuttering to a stop, the city grows cold;

Eyes are wide, mouths all 'O's.

They finally see the storm

Just as it leaves.