Before the Storm

remember that feeling?

the uneasy feeling you get before a storm

the weeks of rain

thinking it’ll never end

starting to lose hope that the sun will ever come out again

wanting to lay around all day feeling gloomy because of the weather.

the smell of rain and plants in the air

the quiet noise of your neighborhood

no kids playing

just silent

boring

the anxious feeling as you turn on the news to see how bad it’ll be

you’re preparing for the worst

and hoping for the best

that it’ll just pass

but that’s not your luck

the sirens begin

you feel more and more uneasy

hoping it’ll pass quick

you wait and wait

for disaster to strike.

you sit on the cold concrete floor in your basement

the news playing quietly in the back

a shiver runs down your spine

indicating something bad is coming

it becomes silent.

***

you slowly open your eyes

expecting the worst

you slowly sit up

your eyes wander around the room looking for damage

there’s nothing

not a single thing out of place

confused

but there’s a puppy in front of you

who’s is this?

no collar

nothing to indicate it has an owner

you grab a leash that was your other dog’s before he died.

you jump up with him and run outside

still confused

Where's all the damage?

you feel a weird sensation throughout your body

you begin to smile uncontrollably

but there’s nothing to smile about?

not a single leaf is out of place

the sky is perfectly clear

kids are playing in their yards

still confused, you head down the street.

you spot your neighbor and ask him about the storm

“What storm?” he says

you play it off and walk away

still smiling from ear to ear

for an unknown reason.

you feel lighter

and more filled with joy

the gloomy feeling is gone

but where is the damage

what happened to the horrible storm?

it’s just, gone?

suddenly everything becomes brighter

you head home with the puppy

and for the next 334 days,

you take the puppy everywhere,

the sensation doesn’t end,

and the smile doesn’t leave your face,

the sun continues to shine,

not a cloud in sight.

you begin to forget about everything from the past

you slowly forget about the weird storm phenomenon

no one seems to remember but you

but it starts to be irrelevant

you forget and enjoy your life with the new puppy

your life had been completely different after the storm.

it’s different, but the best it’s ever been

you’re constantly filled with joy

you love the puppy more than anything

he became your best friend

you do everything together

you feel empty without him

he completes you.