My Joan was at the window staring out in curious wonder…

““My Joan was at the window staring out in curious wonder. Then jumped and turned to me when came a great crash of thunder. Somewhat startled, she laughed out. I laughed a little too. "Awful. Just awful," she said, turning again to view. I stood up from where I sat. It was then I felt a fright. I walked over to my Joan. I knew something wasn't right. I had never seen her before behaving in such a manner. She seemed nervous, puzzled, unsure of something I'd yet to discover. I wrapped my arms around her chest. Then asked her if she was okay. "I'm fine," she said. "Just fine. It's just most storms don't look this way. " I looked out the window and then saw what was wrong. Before us there were clouds that just did not belong. Thick and black, very angry looking clouds. Like nothing I'd ever seen. That seemed to push and shove one another to make themselves more mean. The storm had very quickly taken form. Its wrath soon to unfold. It blocked out the light and replaced the warm with an eerie damp cold. It was as if this beast were alive. Both destructive and enormous. And as it let down its winding tails I knew soon it would be on us. Still I held her even closer and told her it would be fine. Though in my mind was thinking along a different line. The wind outside was now howling. I knew the worst was near. Then came the fearsome growling. And all at once, it's here!””

— Calvin W. Allison