weatherproof...?

 
where I'm from...when tornado sirens sound
...unless we see patio furniture soar past our front door...
we grab a cup of coffee (or a beer) & head for the porch
feet up on the railing...we settle in to watch the show
...could just be a Midwest thing
but we see the beauty in the savage nature of storm-building
something untamed & untouchable
crackle in the air & thunder pounding ground
and there we are...staring it down...
it's as close as we'll ever get to being that indestructible

...or maybe not...

sometimes I forget I'm weatherproof
tempests come in
blow hard & batter at my spirit
until I'm overwhelmed by the intensity
feel emotions eating away at my foundation
too often I just drop
hunker down & say I can't make it
when the truth is...
...the cornerstones of my soul...
...they're sunk so deep in the bedrock they can't be shaken

I'm reminded of airplanes...
in every movie involving a crash landing
(I'm obsessed with disaster films...)
they say put your head between your knees
cushioning yourself...
so...following that emergency philosophy...
bracing myself into a space of safety...
...that's just me following instincts

I just never seem to remember
until I'm raising bloodshot eyes to a clearing sky
wiping tears & tossing debris off of me
a new scar...maybe a few
such a small price to pay...
...for survival
...having said all that...
Universe...please don't take this as a challenge...
I'd kinda like a nap...