Canto I, While Storming

Megan and The Principalities

Canto I

The storm came like the crack of a whip. No
Corner of Brandywine was left unstroked by 
Its lash. It roared and whined, and the water puddled 
Down the windows in trafficky sheets. Megan 
Watched it slip and river.

The wind she didn’t care as much about,
But she is still young and that will change.
Misty the dog came in. Megan
Could tell by the room getting a little brighter.
The dog would bump the door open with her nose.
“Come up here, Misty! Come 
On!” Megan thumped the bed with 
Her hand, and Misty wagged her tail
And jumped, grunting.

Missed the first try, shook herself, 
And tried again. Made it, and was welcomed  
Into an embrace that was as much 
Face as arms. Megan loved storms. 
Misty did not. She always wanted to be 
Closer and be comforted when thunder rumbled.  

Megan’s dad was gone, out on a date
Again. The same woman as always, and it
Didn’t get any better.

She missed having her dad around the house.
It felt empty and lonely without him. Sometimes they
Would watch movies, or go out to a store and then
Pick up food. Sometimes he’d have the news on
In the evening in the den and then

She’d come in and lounge on the couch
Just to be nearby. Recently he even 
Invited her to come to the gym with him.

Megan went out to the living room to get
Misty’s storm jacket and became side-
Tracked by the rain hitting the lake out back.
Lightning flashed. It made her look just a 
Bit over, toward the Reeds’ house 
Twenty feet away. On the rooftop,
Where it peaked, sat a shape, hunched
And dark, and a face, it seemed, that looked out
To the left over the lake, and made

No move.