If I Were A Whirl of Wind (A Poem Told From A Humble Tornado’s Perspective)

Photo by The Cleveland Museum of Art 

I was spawned, one stormy day, 

When my mother decided to play 

Somewhere along Tornado Alley.

She bumped into my dad, 

Spawned me, and I was glad, 

And they gave me the name of Sally.

My parents were quite mysterious,

Because they seemed to be so serious,

When their job took them many different places.

They traveled miles while in a field,

Seeing what their twisting and turning would yield,

While watching the terror on many people’s faces.

I only wanted to tag along,

To twist and turn to the tune of a song,

And leave damages to be done for another.

I didn’t want to act and destroy,

I only wanted to seek out a boy,

Who would like the joy of flight and not bother,

To try and collide 

With objects in the way and abide

To the rules and laws of nature.

Because weather’s forces can be such,

To cause the vortex to dip and touch,

Doesn’t mean we always have to cater.

I thought, “I have a mind of my own,

And my own path I will hone,

So that destruction will not be what matters.

I will jump and I will play,

Having fun during the day,

Making sure I won’t leave behind splatters.

Photo by Dynamic Wang 

“I will have a lot of fun,

People won’t be on the run,

And Mother will be very proud of my intention,

For I will spread the word

To all new tornados and be heard

That it’s better to act with contrition.”

So, the next time you hear,

Of threatening tornados coming near,

Check to see if one’s name might be Sally.

If that would be so, 

Then you will know,

That the threat will pass up the Alley.