Red Sky at Morning

“Red sky at morning
sailor take warning.”

Cumulus clouds of red
and purple

indicate a downpour is coming.
Batten down the hatches,
secure storm windows,

lock the shed, be sure
rain gutters are clear...

and be prepared
to ride out the tempest
on the safety of shore.

What other natural warnings
predict disasters coming?

Volcanic eruptions are usually preceded
by a steady stream of smoke but most
surprise and blow to the skies covering

everything in soot and ash.

The rumble of an earthquake
lasts a few minutes then it’s done
people crushed, homes lost, lives gone.

Some say animals perceive what we can’t see

so we send out satellites to get reports
but like Chicken Little, the newscasters shout,
“The sky is falling!” and most of it never turns out.