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May 11, 2009 Published in Museion

ALL IS WELL

by Shanna Gerlach

my dad and I
hiking,
a worn path
stretches out
in front of us,
seeming almost
endless

all around us
birds chirping
flowers blooming
sunshine trickling
through the canopy
of trees,
life everywhere

no words
between us
the space is open
but full of
comfortable silence
as we soak up
the beauty

suddenly
the birds
are quiet
clouds cover up
the bright sun
the wind whips
through the trees

 ALL IS WELL

we look up
at the sky – oh no
a storm is coming
I glance at my dad
an alarmed expression
brushes his face
for a moment

we hurry
down the trail
seeking shelter,
safety from the
storm,
as raindrops
begin to fall

“in here”
my father
has found an
empty cave,
dry and warm
I duck inside
just in time

lightning strikes
illuminating
our faces
the cave
our sopping clothes
for a split
second

 thunder rumbles
just overhead
loud in our ears
I cover mine
waiting
for the storm
to end

rain pours
drumming a pattern
ka-plunk,
ka-plunk,
it fills my ears
getting inside
my head

then, quiet…
all is silent
before the birds
chirp again
and a drizzle
is all
that is left behind

we crawl out
greeted by sunshine
and a magnificent
rainbow
arching above us,
and all is well
again

Editor’s note: Shanna Gurlach is a fifth-grader at Mount Vernon Community School. She is the 2009 Poet Laureate for the Alexandria City Public School System.

ACPS Poet Laureate, Shanna Gurlach, with Superintendent Dr. Morton Sherman and Kris Clark, Executive Director of Elementary Programs

ACPS Poet Laureate, Shanna Gurlach, with Superintendent Dr. Morton Sherman and Kris Clark, Executive Director of Elementary Programs (Courtesy Photo)

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