Gemotions

The sound, a colossal crack followed by a thunderous boom, had ripped through the lazy afternoon. Michael bolted from his porch, coffee forgotten. He was struck dumb. He watched as the once-proud maple sprawled across Mr. Henderson's property. The roof of the shed beneath it was completely obliterated.

His pulse pounded a rhythmic tattoo in his ears. He couldn't believe his eyes. He slowly reached out a trembling hand, touched the cool bark of the fallen tree, and muttered under his breath, "Unbelievable.”

He felt an odd lightness, almost a buoyancy, in his chest. His usual mundane thoughts had vanished. The scene before him felt both violent and utterly beautiful. It was almost like a living sculpture.