the storm

The rain hits the roof softly as the sun slowly slips below the horizon,
Lights off, I hide under the covers.

The thunder booms with intensity,
Approaching footsteps cast darkness on the only light seeping into my room.

The rain beats down on my window harshly with more power,
The doorknob squeaks as it is slowly turned.

Lightning cracks a deafening whip of light across the night sky,
The covers are ripped off of me as I’m thrown on the floor.

The trees rock wildly in the wind and lightning continues to strike the earth,
Blow after blow, his belt cracks against my skin.

The outside storm rages,
His temper grows and the blows are more frequent and severe.

The rain continues to pour down to put out the fires the lightning may cause,
I provoke him so he doesn’t move on to my mother

The storm calms down as time drags on,
He sighs of exhaustion and retires his belt.

Thunder still booms down but the lightning has been silenced,
One final kick and his boots clunk out the door.

Then the thunder becomes silent as the sound of rain becomes dominant,
I wince in pain as the first tear of the night slides down my cheek.

Quieter and quieter the rain softens,
I remain on the floor for the pain is too great to climb into bed once again.

After an hour the storm is over and all is quiet again,
Sleep overcomes me and the storm is silenced…
For now.