Paper Weights

She could have drifted
Away that year-
Easily.
The tornado terror
Would have helped her
As it all tore down, tumble town
Everything around
Seemed built on sinking sand.
Sand storm swirling, blinding
Compass needle
Snapped.

Anchors stranded on the dock
Time obscured
Year long days.
A house of cards
Poised to fall
She, in moon-boots,
Among it all
Could have drifted
Away.
If there had been a way –
Paper weights made her
Stay.

Paper weight pebbles,
Rocks and stones
Weighed her down,
Fixed her firm.
They stacked and stacked
‘Til her pockets were full
‘Til the tornado terror
Could do no harm.

Moon-boots storm filled
With letters drawn
By sticks in the sand.
Weighted down
To wait until
The tornado passed
Safe in the eye of the storm.

Paper weights
Laden lead
Offloaded while she wrote.
With each mark etched
The paper gained
A little weight.
‘Wait,’ they told her,
‘This lead will lead you
Home.’