THE TORONADO
Where has all the sunshine gone?
It's really dark and drear.
The wind is starting to blow up,
That lightenings very near.
Oh look! It's raining over there,
About a mile away.
I guess we really need the rain,
To grow the crops, they say.
Hey mom! What is that funny cloud?
It hangs down to the ground.
Whats that roaring noise I hear?
That's sure a scary sound.
What's the matter with you mom?
Why are you pull'n me?
I don't want to go down there,
I want to stay right here an' see.
Do you have to shut that door?
Why you hold'n that rope?
Mom why don't you answer me,
My dogs alright I hope.
It sounds just like a big ol' train,
Is gonna run us down.
Somethings banging at that door,
Maybe daddys home from town.
Listen! It's got quiet now,
Do we have to hide?
Lets go up and take a peek,
See what its done outside.
Where are you mom, I can't see you
?
I didn't see her go.
I'll just go up and take a look,
Maybe dad will know.
Wow! The barn is gone, an so's the shed,
And down the road comes dad.
Hey Paw! Our roof is in the tree,
Oh what a time we've had.
I don't know where mama went.
Gosh paw! You sure are pale.
Why you cry'n like that paw?
Did someone whoop your tail?
You say that mama went to town?
But, I thought you went alone.
But mama made me go down there.
Gee dad, why do you groan?
You say my mama's heart gave out?
She won't be comin' back?
I just don't understand at all,
And paw, that's just a fact.
Maybe mom will come home yet,
There's clutter everywhere.
We better help her clean this mess,
The house sure needs repair.
But dad I just don't understand,
Why must I be a little man?
I am just your little boy,
But I'll do the best I can.
Now that all happened years ago,
But I remember clear as day,
When mother pulled me underground,
After she had passed away.
When ever skies get so dark,
And weather is severe,
My mind goes back to that day,
And wonder if my mothers near.
by Margie Hayes
For those who don't know, a storm cellar is a hole dug underground. In the old days they were dirt walls with wooden steps going down and dirt floor. They had a door with a rope on the inside that you could hold the door down in a storm or tie it open. In country like Oklahoma where tornados are a thing to reckon with there are a lot of storm shelters. This boy's mother had died and a storm had come. Her spirit came back one more time to save her son.
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