Atmosphere curation

Hi friends. Please clap for me for (a) making it through the week and (b) getting this poem done before noon. Next up, breakfast and yard work! Hope you all have a satisfying weekend of rest and productivity in equal measure.

Today’s NaPoWriMo prompt: In his poem, “Spring Thunder,” Mark van Doren brings us a short, haunting evocation of weather and the change in seasons. Today, we’d like to challenge you to craft your own short poem that involves a weather phenomenon and some aspect of the season. Try using rhyme and keeping your lines of roughly even length.

This isn’t my first tornado poem as I’ve had a few intense experiences with them; they come up as a symbol in my work occasionally. My dear partner can vouch for the fact that this one is largely true. It’s pretty simple but I think that’s okay for a sunny Saturday! Enjoy <3

In Pittsburgh, more tornadoes than ever

I’ve just advised you
to start the trek home
when sky darkens its hue
and rain metronomes

I pace in the den
up and down stairs
neglecting the spin
and the sting in the air

Did you make it to Western
or have you been blown away?
Did you take the express train
or decide to stay?

I picture you picked up
running off with a twister
then imagine our dustup
as wind starts to blister

It’s just out of view
but I hear a tree crack
a thud out of the blue
nature’s heart attack

My stomach churns
tears start to pour
but then the lock turns
and you open the door