The Gathering Storm, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
IT STORMED TODAY
It stormed here today; it stormed all day long.
Flashes of lightening, thunder rumbling closer.
Bright flashes light up the canyon,
all nature trembles
in the face of the fury of the storm.
All cower under the constant flashes and booming thunder,
I wonder: Is this like Daddy's thunder?
Are these the sounds and sights that he heard
in that land so far away
and in a time that has long passed;
is this what he heard?
I can only wonder.
The flashes come closer
and the thunder booms louder.
The house shakes
as though a giant fist is trying to tear it down.
The wind is howling like a giant banshee.
All life flees before the fury of this storm;
I began to tremble and cry,
for suddenly I am afraid.
Afraid and I don't know why.
I am alone and so afraid.
The flashes are right overhead;
the cabin trembles with the roaring thunder.
I look out the window
as a mighty bolt of lightning lights the sky.
As I look and cower
I see a shape on the highest tower
of rock in the canyon.
I cringe and began to pray
for I know that nothing can survive this storm.
As another bolt lights the sky,
I am stunned and left speechless for the shape.
I have seen is a mighty Eagle...
the biggest I have seen.
There on its left side
under its mighty wing
is a much smaller eagle
completely protected from the fury of the storm.
The eagle faces into the storm;
he does not waver,
he does not flinch,
he does not cower as all around him are.
He screams his defiance into the storm
and suddenly it's gone,
it's over,
the storm has passed.
He raises his left wing to check his mate;
she's all right.
She caresses his cheek.
He looks right at me and spreads his mighty wings,
He voices his defiance at this puny storm.
I am calmed...
I feel secure...
I look out the window and all is clear;
a few clouds, and snow on the distant high peaks.
They take to the air and circle ever higher;
two beautiful eagles together...
forever
and I wonder: Are they my mother and father?
It stormed here today...