Mandatory Evacuation

Boarding up the windows
caulking the skull of his home
overlooking waves with
vertical allegiance
bawdy tides
and an abeyance of pressure remind

Me.

I know this storm
am familiar with tropical depression
slicing rain has drenched my
skin
baptized me in awareness.

Now, through the mopping
and wringing
wiping and rinsing
surfaces come clean
as dirty streams spiral to drains
the floor is dry underneath my feet.