Poem: Sky-Father

Blue skys open on
the clear cold
Christmas day.
Waking from
bright-colored nightmares
about family and friends.
Trying to shake off
the bad dreams
I get some coffee
at the corner store
with my last FoodStamps.

The sky fades to dark,
near black in seconds,
rain like bullets
attacking everything in sheets.
Lightning Flash!
Defeaning Thunder!
How did this happen so fast?!

A cry of joy
escapes from my throat unbidden.
Primal lightning
joy and fear.

Cowering for cover under an awning
and drinking my coffee.
The wind is thrashing the trees,
as I remember my Father,
the Storm God.

Mighty Shango, the King-Magician,
essence of lightning and power.
Is he just dropping by,
to show me his love,
on this Christmas,
when I am alone?

"Hello Father!
Thank you!
I Love you Too!"

I say this to the sky,
standing as the storm passes.
A six minute lightning storm.
just for me.

It may sound silly
to think the sky would
open just for me.
And perhaps some of my
Brothers and Sisters
were nearby to see him too.

But then,
I know my Father Shango,
and He's just funny
in the way
He shows that
He Loves me.