Shelter in Place

JESSICA NENO CLOUD

May 3, 2020

 The radio blares

“You are in a life-threatening situation

Take cover now to preserve your life”

He’s only 5 but he knows what that means

“A tornado?” He says 

“A real life one”

“Maybe”

“Will we be injured like they say?”

How can I lie to him?

How can I tell him the truth?

I choose a middle path

“It may not even come where we are

And even then we are in the safest place”

Booms and clangs from outside

“It’s here!”

He a happy go lucky kid 

But behind that is an undertow of anxiety

Just like his mama

“It’s not here baby

Sit with me”

And I stroke his hair and hold him under my chin

Like he was a babe again

The weather radio is not helping him

But we need the information 

“Humans and animals outside will be injured”

After having his school, his routine, his trips to his grandparents, and his friends ripped from him

Now a tornado

Poor buddy

What’s next

A plaque of frogs

Meteor strike

Rain of fire

He draws viruses as villains all day

And he pretends to conquer them as a superhero

“Flying debris will be dangerous to those without shelter”

JESSICA NENO CLOUD is a poet, mama of two wild things, and higher education fundraiser who lives in Hattiesburg, MS. She earned a Master of Arts degree in English literature from the University of Southern Mississippi. You can read more of her work on her Instagram page @jessicacloudpoetry.