The Eternal Force of Nature

The people feel me. 

On dark, stormy nights, rattling windows. On sunny days, lightly coming from the sea. 

I am all around people. In their homes, their gardens. 

On my best days, I am soft and gentle, rustling leaves, 

I make people happy. 

On my worst days, I mess things up,

I create disorder. 

I take things from people, never to be seen again. 

Sometimes, I give gifts. A stray plastic bag, an old leaf.

Maybe, l punish them. I tip over their bins, uproot their plants. 

Some hate me, some love me. All have me in the backs of their minds, just waiting.

I am a force of nature. 

I am strong, loud, and powerful. I am soft, quiet, gently lifting up the leaves of the trees. 

I create… and I destroy. 

I sound like a screeching monkey.  

I’m cold, and come in gusts.

I smell like salty seawater from the ocean. 

I have the power to excite people, to ruin everything, and to bring joy.

I am amongst all of us, in every breath we take, in all of our lives. 

I will never leave.