Right now, after a very high heat index day (that’s how we talk about hot, humid days now), there’s a thunderstorm happening outside in the dark.
I missed the first hour of it. When I arrived home I took the day’s second shower, and then dinner. The air conditioning has been on, and music— distractions. So I’ve had only the barest awareness of this summer storm.
But the record just ended, and I let it end (though it’s not even really a record, but a stream, a subscription, which is how we talk about music now).
I let it end and the thunder sounds big and powerful, like the things we used to know from stories.
I love the things we used to know from stories, and I want to bring them back. Stories are the reason we ever made it this far— as individuals, and as a species. Stories are powerful, like thunder and lightning.
(A summer storm sounds like the world existing, as it does, with or without us.)
Thought provoking! Thanks!
Thanks for reading!
I loved the ending 👏🏻
Thanks so much!
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! com/2017/09/10/on-noticing-a-sudden-summer-thunderstorm-late/” rel=”nofollow”>The minuscule region and commented:
Really interesting, love it
Thanks so much, it’s appreciated.
This reminded me of the lines from GRAPES OF WRATH: “And the people listened, and their faces were quiet with listening. The story tellers, gathering attention into their tales, spoke in great rhythms, spoke in great words because their tales were great, and the listeners became great through them.”
That’s beautiful. Thanks so much for reading, and for sharing that. I’ve not read that one yet, but now I’m more intrigued than ever.
Reblogged this on The little area and commented:
Really interesting, love it
I think the weather and our reaction to it is a very primal thing, I believe you captured it beautifully!
Agreed about primal, and thank you so much!
My pleasure I enjoyed your writing
Especially come Jan and Feb in New England, I really miss the mild winters down in Texas. I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer.
Oh yes! Stories from childhood make the best memories! Reason to bounce back many times!
Stories are essential to preserve and propagate values and culture. They can change and shape your thinking so unobtrusively. That is why when I had something to say, I have started saying through my stories. But it takes so long to say it nicely. Never mind….I will continue doing so, no matter how much time and effort it takes. Because the pen is mightier than the sword!
Agreed! Yes, storytelling is a tricky thing, to get the words where you want them.
Thanks so much for visiting and reading.
Did you get a chance to read my stories? They are typical of Indian Milieu.
Hello! I read Faces in the Mist so far. It is very moving, and makes me want to call my own parents. I love the line about his wife “is a law unto herself.”
His imagined stories of the people he sees on his wanders is a beautiful segue to his relationship with his son.
Thanks. I am sorry to reply so late to you because of a personal tragedy. Have posted another story in a dark mood.
True!!
hope all is well…. these storms are deadly…. lovely post….
I always enjoy the sudden nature of a summer thunderstorm. You’re right that it’s the perfect reminder that its a clear reminder that the world goes on with or without us.
Such a beautiful piece. Thank you for this.
Memorable….thank you.
[…] a number of you’ve just arrived via the portal of a recent Thunderstorm*, I searched through the archives to find other posts that have a similar tone, timbre, or general […]
Wonderful capturing of nature in all its glory
Thanks so much for all the lovely comments. I appreciate it!
You’re welcome
Because stories can be harsh, captivating, damaging but yet are beautiful wonders of nature, just like thunder and lightning!
I love this comparison…
Wonderful article…Just saying-Pictures/photos tell unwritten stories too
Very lovely. Nice piece
“Stories are the reason we ever made it this far— as individuals, and as a species. Stories are powerful, like thunder and lightning” – True words!
Nice one 👍
“A summer storm sounds like the world existing, as it does, with or without us” ❤
yah sure. I was taking about general conversations with people too. I’ll surely mention your reference even there. 🙂
Of course! You can always mention in conversation. I wasn’t sure if you meant for some specific purpose. 🙂
This posts makes me think about being back home. I currently live in Arizona and we don’t get those thunderstorms like I used to in Missouri. Thank you for this chance to reminisce ⛈
You’re so welcome, thanks for reading!
That was a fantastic piece. Thank you. 🙂 I am in love with the last sentence enclosed within parenthesis – (A summer storm sounds like the world existing, as it does, with or without us). I ask you permission to take it with me and share it around! That awesome thing!
In what way do you want to share it?
If you do share it, include either a link back to this original post and/or my name, Elizabeth Daggar.
Lovely. I always sleep best durig a loud and booming thunderstorm, with rain pelting down… One of my FAvorite orchestral sounds.
elaine reardon
Agreed, such a soothing backdrop of sound.
Are you kidding?
NO, I really do. When I was kid, I’d hide under the table. Now, it seems to switch of my sympathetic nervous system pathways; It’s deeplly relaxing, and I sleep deeply and quickly!
thanks. so much
[…] Source: On noticing a sudden summer thunderstorm, late […]
Wow, love that last bit. 😊
Thanks so much!
We had an unexpected thunderstorm early this morning. It woke me up at 4am but it was so exciting! Love this take on it. Thank you for sharing this.
Honestly, since the storm has been ravaging poor Houston, it feels like odd timing for this particular post to have been featured on WP, but I appreciate it!
Yet, there is something magical about a sudden (brief) thunderstorm. Thanks for reading, and for your comment.
The things we used to know from stories! I need a dose of that!
Wonderful experience. Just takes your breath away
Absolutely. Thanks for visiting.
Mike, that sounds lovely; porch-sitting during a storm is always a somewhat transporting experience. I hope you learn more about your mind’s travels— maybe some postcards will arrive here and there, as they do when scraps of a dream return later on. Thanks for reading.
And stories, like thunder and lightning, speak the unspoken language of our hearts. Sometimes they say things we would struggle to put into words, important, life-changing things that are felt long before they’re understood.
I say this after sitting on a porch yesterday evening here in Costa Rica, as a lightning storm rumbled through, lashing the trees with rain and making the hills flicker with ghostly light. I watched for a while, my thoughts untethered, and my mind went to places it hasn’t visited in years. I’m not sure what it did there, but I hope it’ll give me the CliffsNotes version of it sometimes soon.
That last piece really hit me like a train. I’m feeling this🔥🔥🔥
Thanks so much Zach. And thanks for reading.
No doubt ✊🏾✊🏾