Lightning Before Thunder (revised)

I can hear the sirens wailing

It’s unnerving

Tension in my neck, skittering down my spine

They’re in my head

But there is a peace in them

Rain on the sidewalk

Filling me up

The unending sound a strange harmony to my ceaseless thoughts, circular and pulsing

Until there is no room left in the air, only sound and

Sound and sound and sound and

Lightning before thunder

Count the seconds

One

Two

Three

Is it passing?

The sirens wail on, and I wonder if something is burning

A strong old ash, split, dry leaves smoldering

Or is it me?

Sirens branded into my mind

Skin smoking from the lightning strike

One

Two

Three

Four

The storm is moving on

The rain gentles

A soft patter among the sirens

It smooths my edges, cools my ravaged skin

Slowly, one by one, the sirens stop

A wild cry in the distance, then only the memory remains

Standing in the drizzle, face to the droplets

Arms to my sides

All is quiet