SQUALL LINE STORM

Far thunder
at mountains' base and lake's source
accompanied by a rush of ripples
here at the dam
miles distant

All but die hard boats scurry
toward safe marinas and the shore
water becomes more nervous
as gathering storm approaches

Now the first strobe comes in sight
and evening sun surrenders
to purple clouds
in fear
nervous wavelets break down
to white topped swells
as interval between flash and rumble
decreases

Anticipation ends
for now the storm arrives
in full fury
thunder and lightning continuous
as an artillery barrage
deafening.... blinding

Waves turned breakers
march toward the rip-rapped bank
ending their assault
in crashes of spray

The border between rain and lake
blurs
as water drops from the sky
like a waterfall
The wet trees and broom sedge
bow and twist to the gale
turning every way but up
as the squall passes over head

Then

more quickly than arrival
departure
just as the orange orb
ducks from beneath retreating clouds
and touches distant trees

Like a switch and faucet closed
no wind
no rain
no waves
just thunder's rumble fading
like a herd departing

Now the world is clean washed
in sharper focus
as the lake stills to a mirror
with dual suns and shores
exhaling breaths of fog
into the evening