27-April 2025

A siren wails
and I startle,
a black car idles
and I keep a wide circle,
thunder rattles windows
and I watch to make sure
lightning follows

the world is teetering
and I keep testing my balance,
make sure I am still upright.

---

Photo by Matt Hardy. Poem ©2025 Jen Payne. NaPoWriMo, National Poetry Writing Month. If you like this poem, you can read similar in my books and zines, available from Three Chairs Publishing on my ETSY SHOP. They come autographed, with gratitude and a small gift.