The lightning flashing,
thunder banging down
waking the children from 
their sleep. The rain slaps 
the old tin roof. The creek 
rises nearing the top of
the bank. The oversaturated 
yard begins to give way 
collapsing into the creek.
The old pickup begins
floating to its new home.
The old chesnut tree topples 
narrowly avoiding the house.
The basement door bursts
open, allowing the invasive
waters to destroy the various
junk stored inside. 

Morning finally arrives
and the storm has rolled
away leaving a rainbow
and a calmness only
such forces can bring.
The air is clean, the
trees are bare, the birds
sing as they rebuild.