A string of rain storms sprawls
like an infection over the green
skin of Florida.
The oozing white eye drains
over Putnam County, its feverish
border circling the St. Johns River.
Wind shear hurls a skein of arrows
indicating its direction and severity
while land in distress shades orange.
With finger flicks the announcer
generates this bold display, spreading
a cone of probable disaster.
Like an epidemic, his graphics grip
the map, swallow towns and rivers.
The TV voice warns: Lake City, take cover.
