before, before

before, before
the rain comes
the land tells her
that she ought to 
seek shelter

before, before
the skies darken
the air grows heavy
warning of what is
about to come

before, before
the thunder rumbles
the lake stands still
the calm before the
inevitable storm

and yet, all the same
she sits out on the dock
watching the clouds roll
in across the water
before, before
running up the lawn
drenched to the bone
as the first lightning flashes