Poems for Storms
Joining Wednesday Poetry Club with Tornado Watch, Lexington Tornados & What You Take and a Poetry Prompt/News
Hi, I'm Deborah, a Christian wife, poet, and writer. My passion is writing about the profound ways God is at work in my life, from His lessons to the faith He builds in me. I find His handprints everywhere, giving us glimpses of Heaven to make our days a little easier, kinder, and gentler.
Tornado Watch
The siren caterwauled
through still air
that soon was roused.
My insides twisted and turned
to flashes of light
and booming.
Our yard was a small river
emptying into the creek.
I wondered if I had a little sailboat
and let it go into the rushing water,
would I ever see it again,
or would I find it washed up on the shore?
These are the kinds of things
one may think about
while sequestered in the basement,
as the warnings light up the phone
when you have said your prayers
while there is still light
in your little sailboat.
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I grew up in the Los Angeles area, where we didn’t have tornados. We had other things like earthquakes, fires, and floods.
My mother, however, grew up in Arkansas and would often tell us the terror of the tornado warnings.
The first time I experienced one was when I was on location in Lexington, Kentucky, working on the film “Elizabethtown.” Here is a poem from that experience:
... Lexington Tornadoes July 14, 2004 There was a great thunderstorm last night in Lexington, Kentucky. I’m here on location with the film “Elizabethtown.” We had wrapped and headed back to the Marriot Resort at 9:30 pm. The sky was cloudy, and lightning lit up the sky. I turned on the news...warnings..,severe thunderstorms..,tornado warning! I called downstairs and asked the operator, “What if the power goes out?” Operator: “We have a generator that will go on. If you’re afraid, come down into the basement. Take the elevator.” Me: “Wouldn’t it be better to take the stairs?” Operator: “If you like.” I hang up. Hmm. Tornado warning. I call back. Me: “What if there’s a tornado?” Operator: “Take the elevator down to the basement.” Me: “Shouldn’t I take the stairs?” Operator: “You could.” Me: “What if I go to sleep and there’s a tornado?” Operator: “Well, I imagine there’ll be an alarm, and you take the elevator to the basement or get into the bathtub and put pillows over you. Stay away from the window.” I hang up, satisfied. Turn off the TV and slip into a deep, beautiful sleep. The next morning, after we’ve finished the makeup, a loud siren/alarm goes off. I go outside and learn that this is a tornado alarm and it’s only a test. My job is very interesting. Not one of the memos mentioned anything about a tornado.
…
I don’t make light of tornadoes; though my city has not received one, we do have lots of fallen trees after the storms come through. These twisters have come close, and I do have a friend whose home was destroyed by one; she lives nearby.
When I first visited East Tennessee, I noticed how my mother-in-law watched the weather. We didn’t watch for weather changes in Los Angeles as it stayed the same for long periods. Yes, we would have rain and such, but not four seasons in a day as Georgia boasts of having.
I remember the night I saw my first electrical storm; the black sky sparked fiercely, and though terrifying, it was dazzling.
After moving to Georgia, I have become a weather watcher. My husband has prepped our basement for when we receive a warning or hear the siren; we grab our backpack and head downstairs.
What do I bring with me if that was all I could bring? Read my poem below:
... 5/19/24 What You Take Interesting weather in a tornado watch when it is still and then frensy wind then rain then the sun breaks through with light drops and I go outside to see if I can see a rainbow. When we first heard about the tornado warning from our phone apps My husband asked, “Is the Les Paul guitar insured?” I said everything was insured. The plan was to run for the basement if all heck broke out and I prepared a backpack with my purse, computer, Bible and my nice set of earrings.
…
What I am learning in life is that there will always be storms in our lives whether they are physical ones like these tornado warnings or weather they are internal or spiritual too. If you haven’t read my poem from last week He Calms The Sea because that’s the secret right there. Jesus told us that we would have tribulation in this world, but He also said to be of good cheer. WHY? Because in JESUS we have peace.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Shalom dear friends.
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Note: Tornado Watch was first published in Prosetrics The Literary Magazine Mirage Issue and you can pick up a limited edition. You can also order on Kindle now! Prosetrics The Magazine Limited Edition
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Today, I'm joining the Wednesday Poetry Club: “On Wednesdays, a group of writers share their poems as part of the Wednesday Poetry Club.” You can join us to at Tanner Olson.
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POETRY NEWS!
Come and listen to S3 of The Way Back’s Poetry Corner. So many wonderful poets who I am blessed to be alongside. Thank you Edward Holmes, Deidre Braley, and Kimberly Phinney The Way Back!
My poems Earth Child and Star Dusk will be in the
Spring Literary Journal: Wonder. Preorder now.
I am putting together a prayer team as I finish up my book. If you are interested in being on my prayer team for my upcoming poetry collection please sign up here: Deborah’s Pray Team for Prodigal Daughter: Poems of Light for the Lost Ones.
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NOW FOR OUR POETRY PROMPT
Today's poetry prompt is write about weather. It can be storms like mine or it can be a beautiful day.
There really is no time, but I suggest getting comfortable with your journal and pen. First, pray and thank God for all He has done in your life, and then begin writing.
I look forward to reading what you come up with. And if you'd like, please share your thoughts and poem in the comments.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
Deborah
I enjoyed reading this. You might like reading about my fear of storms—“One Stormy Night.”