Tuesday, October 08, 2024

THE WEATHERMAN CRIED

by Stella Graham-Landau




how many years has he 

shared warned cajoled explained

the likelihoods percentages and possibilities

where storms could land


still they argue

point to past failures and misses

their anecdotes and myths raised to the status of fact


he looks at his maps

the tiny mass of whirling white

swirling counterclockwise


this one is a monster


he apologizes for his tears

he is still in the throes of trauma

knowing how many folks died two weeks ago

when dire pleadings went unheeded

maybe he realizes that

his friends who will not leave their cats 

may not survive this storm


he wipes his eyes

he has no life preservers to toss

no life jackets to dispense

no paddleboards or inflatable rafts to offer

he only has science

and statistics

and words he hopes will save lives


he takes off his glasses

holds his head in his hands


i hope i’m wrong this time



Stella Graham-Landau has lived in hurricane territory most of her life. She has great respect for the power of these named storms and much gratitude for the meteorologists who share their insights in an effort to keep us safe.