.

Thunder surprise-explodes just outside the window,

Followed forthwith by a lightning bolt

Which briefly brightens the room.

Adrenalin courses through his body,

Even as the flashed light yields to the prior gloom.

Now he can clearly hear the rain:

First, stray drops tapping at the window,

Then an incessant drumming on the glass.

.

The storm is predicted to linger two hours.

With four plus inches of rain expected.

The historic district can assume severe flooding.

So, there’ll be no Uber tonight, no tram, no walking,

No fancy restaurant (No dinner for two at all, anywhere!),

No publicized chamber music at the cathedral,

No slow stroll, hand in hand on the sea wall.

Our every shared decision made,

So long planned, now washed away.

.

He slow-deep breathes to calm himself

(In through the nose, out through the mouth).

His hand reaches for the jar beside him:

How good these chocolates, he is reminded,

And how comfortable this old chair.