(no subject)

The biggest issue with the barking heads is that for the people not in the line of trouble, it feels more like crying wolf than being prepared.

The descriptions of Irene in NYC from Weather.com veer between the frantic: "it's big!! it is EPIC! It is the FIRST ONE IN 3 YEARS!!!! it is REALLYREALLY BIG!!! ZOMG WATCH OUT" and the factual: Irene downgraded to Tropical Storm, winds lessening, storm surge still epected, storm mostly expected to be past by noon, there may be lots of water left in the streets as it takes a while to drain.

What we have here is winds around 35 knots, gusts to 40, and steady rain. 

(no subject)

wind rakes the rain in lines 
pointing south and west
the trees thrash but do not break
the streets are coated with water
that hasn't time to drain

and yet, we still sit in lighted and refrigerated splendor
and yet, the wind moans not
and yet, the worst has not arrived
and may not, if this is the backside

(eta)

I'll admit to hurricane dreams last night

the trampoline took flight, the metal frame shrieking
the central black mat like a bat's black wings, held captive in the center
the whole cartwheeling itself into the neighbor's yard before flying away downwind

it looks suspiciously smug, and quite stable this morning
after its adventures in the dark of my mind