Derecho Ghazal

And the high winds bore down, and the sky
built up that grey wall: derecho.

The taverns by the sea closed their shutters,
and the stands selling battered fries, derecho.

On the boardwalk, pieces of salt-water taffy, half-
eaten funnel cakes oozing grease and cream: derecho.

And the people on every highway, panicked, sought
a clear route for their exodus: derecho.

What’s in your emergency backpack? Beef jerky, mineral
water, flashlight, solar cells? Snap in the sound of derecho.

Yesterday, white and blue sails pretty on the water;
sharp glint of skyscraper glass. Then this derecho.

[LAG-other-response date=”06 14 2013″ url=”https://www.vianegativa.us/2013/06/how-to-sell-your-soul/” title=”Via Negativa: How to Sell Your Soul”]