The Storm by Doug Van Hooser

The wind chimes jabbering dances across the lake,
     the water a conduit, copper wire electrified by glass
          the wind is toying with, an alert to the air’s mischief,
black sky bullies its way through the back door.
     Soon the pelting starts. Wrathful raindrops dump
          from belching clouds. Thunder announces
lightning contestants that jab the dark, 
     pummel the afternoon’s serenity into submission.
          The storm nature’s villain.
The character that forces everyone to shelter inside.
     Hide from the anger, uncontrollable crying,
          bellowing intimidation.
But a voice, a streak of blue, breaks the sky.
     Hints the yelling, the pounding tears, electrocuted remarks,
          will end. Submit to a clear unclouded truth.


Doug Van Hooser's poetry has appeared in Roanoke Review, The Courtship of Winds, After Hours, Sheila-Na-Gig online, and Poetry Quarterly among other publications. His fiction can be found in Red Earth Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, and Bending Genres Journal. Doug’s plays have received readings at Chicago Dramatist Theatre and Three Cat Productions. More at dougvanhooser.com.