The mother of hail storms

Tomato plants are shredded

the leaves on the delicate cherry tree have been stripped

from their branches,

the lettuce is in tatters and the ground is 

covered in hail.

the hoods of cars bear the scars, the once smooth metal

now decorated with dimples,

my cucumber plants are nowhere to be seen

the towering beans are battened to the ground.

by the time I realized it was serious, it was too late

to run outside, having to hold a lid over my head, 

unable to cover the plants with one hand and 

a bed sheet.

And so, when it's day again, I will go outside

to see if anything can be salvaged.

I  doubt it.