The cold rain lashed the sky

The creaking windows shook

The deafening thunder roared

The night-cracking lightning snaked like veins

The twisting winds swirled

The doors slammed shut on rusting hinges

The greasy blinds came down with a thud

The black cat slipped silently away –

Trepidation and doubt –

I kissed your lips

And the lights went out.

*