Bracing for Thunder

Skip in my step—or just trip on the sidewalk cracks—I can’t tell…
I looked down and found a four leaf clover—bent over and I fell.
Holding my breath for things to keep on going this well.

Drag my feet to the waterside, afraid that I might sink.
I dive right in sometimes but these days I’m taking too much time to think.
Holding my breath for you to say you love me, one more time pushed to the brink…

We laid back on the hood of the car
watching silent thunderstorms over our heads.
We joked that it was frightening but we jumped when we saw lightening
as if with each burst was something left unsaid.

Times when you worked late, and times when I stayed home,
holding my breath for times we’d enjoy our time alone.
Spending too much time together finding nothing of our own.

We drove out to the shoreline.
Tornado clouds were coming from behind.
We laughed—that was a close one
as if to keep those dark thoughts back inside our minds.

I looked ahead, but I kept falling so I’m staring down instead.
In my search for lucky clovers, I could not see clouds gather overhead.
I was holding my breath…
the thunder’s coming…
I was holding my breath.

Copyright Tracy S. Feldman, All rights reserved