P.T.S.D.

... nerves firing off one by one until
they all overamp: overloaded by
fear until the body shuts down
from sheer exhaustion. Desperately
wanting to confront the beast on its
own turf, but unable to get past the

memories of six tornadoes and a
roof gone over the years that have
left an indelible footprint on the
psyche. Screaming arguments
with loved ones who don't understand
the terror that comes in nightmare

and in each storm that may or may not
come -- it's in the forecast. Where
to go, where to hide?!? Underground
shelters not an option. Teeny tiny
claustrophobic sized half baths don't
count. Supercells with grapefruit

hail and twisters approaching from
the northwest galvanize feet to
action -- get a ride to the local
hospital to wait out the weather --
it's just another day of living with
Post Traumatic STORM Disorder --

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuvBVemIP1w

What a Mess

The clouds, stacked neatly
on the counter of sky. There
they sit, one on top of the other,

waiting for me to put them
away. I say, Not my turn; Mom
thunders, shivering them onto my

head. Whoops. Mom made a
mess. Wanna bet the next time
she uses the paper plates, instead?

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbz-xJEpTQ0

Pre-Dawn Thunder

covers of sleep pealed
back by alarm clock of light
and pre-dawn thunder

Image, (c) 2006; poem and video (c) 2009, Karla Dorman

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YF0Zz6Y-Dg

When Is A Rainbow Not (4/16/09)

irridescent
translucency
points eyes upward -

the Master's touch
painted with a
delicate hand -

not a rainbow.
related to
a sun's halo -

this lovely band
stretching across
the noontime skies.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR-UDCK5PKk

Image, poem and video (c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Or I'll Huff and I'll Puff -

forward motion, stopped, except for
the trees. they're writhing under the
onslaught of wind, twisting this way
and that. the walls are shuddering,
cracking in pain, and i, within, tremble
as well, wondering if they'll hold, they
and the roof -- pray so. sounds like
it will pop off any second now -- how
long will the electricity stay on? not
long, if it keeps howling like it is -- a
wolf at the door. now i know how the
three little pigs felt in their flimsy shelters ...

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman.

Making the Best in a Bad Situation (5/7/5 format)

a blood red eye glares
down through a malevolent
haze of smoke and dust -

it wants me. can see
it in its expression of
absolute hatred -

because i've been bought
by the saving Grace of love,
i do not worry -

if worse comes to worse,
i will meet my Heavenly
Father, face to face -

until then, Lord, give
me strength. You are my refuge.
You are my shelter -

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman

Say A Prayer

Say a prayer: wildfires burning all
around, the sun hidden behind a
pall of smoke and haze. Smell of
flame heavy in the lungs, burning
eyes to red. Emergency bag is
packed, just in case. Nerves
jangle with every siren, heard: is
it us this time? And Saturday into
Sunday, could be running from
severe storms. Enough, Lord -
weary from worrying. Be with us -

(c) 2009, Karla Dorman