The hurricane is an angry woman
sobbing for her lost love
mourning her never-born child
pushing all that is quiet and gentle
with her raging will
howling at the night stars
that shine, still so true
just above the hollow of her
jaded eye.
She roars until her throat is raw
bleeds oceans of tears
wears herself out with grief.
And when all is done
the blue sky and crisp air
fold in behind her
like clean sheets in a soft breeze.

Mary Schanuel has been a writer since she could hold a pencil and has published non-fiction, entertainment reviews, poetry and short fiction since she was 19. Her works have appeared in such publications as Working Mother Magazine, Organic Gardening and the Los Angeles Daily News. "Soul's Gaze" is one of a collection of her poems that will be published in an anthology of spontaneous Zen writing. A member of the Woman to Woman - St. Louis community, Mary facilitates personal growth and healing workshops.