This is not really a story but a poem I wrote about Hurricane Charley and my experience riding out the initial wave of the storm. It’s also an experience I had with God, so I called this poem “Gathering Psalm 23”.

Official instructions from the radio
become lost in the panicked noise traffic
in bracing limb to limb in the hallway
gathering the words, to speak scripture to the storm forces
acknowledging the mission of the tornado outside
and the fright cyclone raging behind my eyes.

Staring into your wide canine eyes
hearing the violent winds shred the roof
crouching in the hall
fair fingertips touching padded paws
through the black bars of your safety crate.

Counting striations in your brown panting eyes
broad with my mirrored dread
wanting to crawl in the crate with you
exchanging role of terrified pet parent
for comforted canine child.

Speaking to the squalls through You
the hall became my green pasture
as the sky ruptured the roof overhead.
Your promise calmed me in quiet waters
while my soul trusted in Your restoration
amid the unstilled storm outside.

The winds blew me into the valley
but You stood in the gap with me
quivering in the cleft, covered by Your hand.

Your rod and staff knit the shattered rafters
to stand fast in the roaring winds, until it was over
extinguished as quickly as it started.

My ragged breaths even
canine companion staring vacantly
as we clutched paw pad to fingertip
through the crate bars
low whimpers betraying us both.

The eaves creak outside and
my wide eyes crumble and
hand blanches against the gripping green leash as the
brave brown-eyed dog barks at the
glittering rain-spattered roof, rakishly askew
like an angry beret.
The sun stares defiantly and the
shadow falls silent.
Shaking knuckles rest on my chest
my shuddering heart overflows.