The Storm Poem by Barry Middleton

Wind destroyed the apple trees
and taught me nothing can stay,
taught me hearts must break.

The landscape was altered forever.
I can no longer find my way.
Those I knew are dead.

We can't go home again.
Tornadoes and wars come and go.
Riots tear the heartland.

My creek still flows from the hill,
and makes its proper turn.
But at the river waits a new soul.

Lightning fires the western sky.
The trees are all different.
Everything is different.