"The Ladybug," by LaDonna Roudebush

I feel the vibrations in the ground,

God screaming, "TAKE SHELTER!!"

in his deep, booming voice.

Light turns to Darkness

as the colossal gray and black

billows above me grow closer,

Crying

drops, then waterfalls. I feel the

Violent Movement

of giant leaves and sticks

all around me as I try to escape

into my lofty wooden friend,

with her long, inviting arms and

outstretched feet firm in the ground.

I Can't See-

so much water, so much mud, so much debris. 

We've all hidden; some of us have perished.

My friend hugs me tightly, sheltering me 

as we wait for stillness together.

The billows, all cried out, move on to

Dry their eyes.

I Can See

the giant leaves with fresh teardrops

on them, displaced from her arms

and resting now. I feel the

Gentle Movement

of Mother Breeze as she dries my wings.

Darkness turns to Light

as Father Sun pops his head in

through the door of the sky,

Renewing the colors of my world

and my heart