You felt it more than heard it
that first bone-deep jolt
before alarms began to sound
and Mother Nature’s band
really began to play.
But the grand old dame
the Hotel Vance
was quick to catch the tune.
Her giant sashes set to tapping
her long brass chandeliers began to sway.
And just when I believed that redwood gal
might get up to dance
the geologic music trailed away.
An aftershock of human laughter
rippled across the room
followed closely by another wave of warning
as one
our minds were turned to water
our eyes turned towards the bay.
We steadied ourselves and chattered
until the cops came by in cruisers
blasting their loudspeakers
to clear us all away.
”Don’t need to tell me twice” I thought
”this party won’t be sending invitations”.
So I nodded to the old gal, grateful for the shelter
more than happy to leave her as I found her.
Though as she stood there in the rearview
I was quick to reassure her
as I promptly drove away
she may yet get that dance –
then thanked the gods or anyone out there
that it wouldn’t be today.
— arhbradley
This article appears in Top 10 Stories of 2024.