The Storm
I Ran to the forest for shelter,
Breathless, half sobbing;
I put my arms round a tree,
Pillowed my head against the rough bark."Protect me," I said. "I am a lost child."But the tree showered silver drops on my face and hair.
A wind sprang up from the ends of the earth;
It lashed the forest together.
A huge green wave thundered and burst over my head.
I prayed, implored, "Please take care of me!"But the wind pulled at my cloak and the rain beat upon me.
Little rivers tore up the ground and swamped the bushes.
A frenzy possessed the earth:
I felt that the earth was
In a bubbling cavern of space. I alone—Smaller than the smallest fly—was alive and terrified. Then for what reason I know not,
I became trium- phant"Well, kill me!" I cried and ran out into the open.
But the storm ceased: the sun spread his
And floated serene in the silver pool of the sky.
I put my hands over my face:
I was blushing.
And the trees swung together and delicately laughed.
Katherine Mansfield
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