Stormwater Runoff by Karly Alexandra Smith
Storms do not care for our plans or desires, just
circumstance rising up higher and higher 'til
floodwaters fly o'er nonporous beliefs,
absconding with earth from the banks like a thief, ripping
out roots of resilience and peace— though we'd already
cut through the hills and the trees, 'til all the soft places
where sorrow might rest were hardened, unwilling to
welcome that guest. Then, when the storm in its careless
way comes, how astonished we are by the damage that's
done. We need porous places where sorrow can steep—
gather her dark skirts, and teach us to weep. She'll give us
good gifts that the storms can't destroy. Make places for
sorrow, she'll make rooms for joy.
Karly is an aspiring writer who spent the past five years writing with students in a high school classroom and has ventured on to other work in order to pursue the arts more fully. Karly lives in the beautiful hills of Northeastern Ohio and is passionate about the way God made us for community and for beholding his wonder in nature. She writes poetry, short stories, and is working on a novel series.