GloriesoftheStorm
佚名/Anonymous
Itbeginswhenafeelingofstillnesscreepsintomyconsciousness.Everythinghassuddenlygonequiet.Birdsdonotchirp.Leavesdonotrustle.Insectsdonotsing.
Theairthathasbeenhotalldaybecomesheavy.Ithangsoverthetrees,pressestheheadsofthef?lowerstotheground,sitsonmyshoulders.WithavaguefeelingofuneasinessImovetothewindow.There,inthewest,liestheanswer—cloudhaspiledoncloudtoformaridgeofmammothwhitetowers,rearingagainstbluesky.
Theirpiercingwhitenessisofbriefduration.Soonthemarshmarrowrimsf?lattentoanviltops,andthecloudsrevealtheirdarkernature.Theyimposethemselvesbeforethelate-afternoonsun,andthedaydarkensearly.Thenagustofwindwhipsthedustalongtheroad,chillwarningofwhatistocome.
Inthehouseadoorshutswithabang,curtainsbillowintotheroom.Irushtoclosethewindows,emptytheclothesline,securethepatiofurnishing.Thunderbeginstogrumbleinthedistance.
Thef?irstdropsofrainarehuge.Theysplatintothedustandimprintthewindowswiththeindividualsignatures.Theyplinkontheventpipeandplunkonthepatioroof.Leavesshudderundertheirweightbeforerebounding,andthesidewalkwearsacoatofshinyspots.
Therhythmaccelerates;plinkfollowsfasterandfasteruntilthesoundisarollofdrumsandtheindividualdropsbecomeanarmymarchingoverf?ieldsandrooftops.Nowthef?irstboltoflightningstabstheearth.Itisheaven』sexclamationpoint.Thestormishere!
Inspiteofmyself,Ijumpatthefollowingcrackofthunder.Itrattlesthewindowpaneandsendsthedogscratchingtogetunderthebed.Thenextboltisevencloser.Itraisesthehaironthebackofmyneck,andItakeaninvoluntarystepawayfromthewindow.
Therainnowbecomesatorrent,f?lungcapriciouslybyarisingwind.Togethertheybatterthetreesandlevelthegrasses.Waterstreamsoffroofsandoutofrainspouts.ItpoundsagainstthewindowinsuchasteadywashthatIamsightless.Thereisonlywater.Howcansomuchfallsofast?Howcouldthecloudshavesupportedthisvastweight?Howcantheearthendurebeneathit?
Pacingthroughthehousefromwindowtowindow,Iammovedtoopen-mouthedwonder.Lookhowthelilacbendsundertheassault,howthedayliliesaref?lattened,howthehillsidestepsareanewmadewaterfall!Nowhailstonesthumpsupontheroof.Theybouncewhiteagainstthegrassandsplashintothepuddles.Ithinkofthevegetablegarden,thefruittrees,thecropsinthef?ields;but,thankfully,thehailstonesarenotenoughinnumbersorsizetodorealdamage.Notthistime.
Forthisstormisalreadybeginningtopass.Thetensionisreleasedfromtheatmosphere,thecurtainsofrainletinmorelight.Thestormhasspentmostofitsenergy,andwhatisleftwillbeexpendedonthecountrysidetotheeast.