Tendency Backstory by Ben Nardolilli

I came because of the storm, the fire,
the thunder, and clouds,
because I could not stand still
or even hide from the world, for the thunder
kept me from sleeping and the fire
made it too hot to sit down in a cellar
            but I wonder what struck you
 
I came because of the wind, the rocks,
the ice, and the pestilence,
because the moaning of the dead
invaded my dreams and blocked out the music,
so I made a choice though now I see
I had no choice to make,
            but I wonder what struck you
 
I came because I was hungry, thirsty,
angry, and tired, too tired
to be afraid of consequences and counting up
my winning and losing,
I was sick of the game and the dice,
the draw of waiting to be up on my luck
            but I wonder what struck you
 
I came because of the masses, the riots,
the fists, guns, and machetes,
the songs of hope, the promising
horizon and the chance to finally get there,
but no matter if it was any of this, something struck you             let us see if it makes you stay.

Ben Nardolilli currently lives in New York City. His work has appeared in Perigee Magazine, Red Fez, Danse Macabre, The 22 Magazine, Quail Bell Magazine, Elimae, The Northampton Review, Local Train Magazine, The Minetta Review, and Yes Poetry. He blogs at mirrorsponge.blogspot.com and is trying to publish a novel.