There was a relief in feeling the storm’s approach

Something to relieve the pressure swelling in the room, the days,

The things she won’t let herself say.

As the air shifted, there was a moment of heavy silence

A signal to birds and bugs to stop their summer noises

A signal for circular winds to take up their songs.

A signal that it was too late to return home unaltered.

Waiting for a reason to leave, some smoothing justification that wasn’t coming

It would be thunder and cold gusts and dark, dark sky

That finally made her drive away.