Lily Keeps One Eye on the Weather

When the big thunder rolls
across the summer fields, I shiver inside.

The walls shudder,
and we can hear the branches crack.

A giant swings his hammer in the sky.
He'll knock our house to Kingdom Come
or smash it down to pieces,
with us in it.

The monster shows no mercy.
Mama says don't worry.
Father's face is hard as a skillet.

We huddle on the iron bed,
listen to the rain run under the floor,

hope the downpour doesn't kill the cotton.
We hope the roof's not ripped away.