It sounded as if the Streets were running — Tornado

It sounded as if the Air were running ¹
And then the Air stood still.
Eclipse was all we could see at the Window
And Awe－was all we could feel－
By and by the boldest stole out of his Covert ⁵
To see if Time were there－
Nature was in her Beryl Apron
Mixing fresher Air－

(F.1454/J.1397)

[1, 2] It, Air stood still:: a tornado, twister, that can stand still in a place.
[3] Eclipse:: sky darkened by the tornado.
[5] stole, Covert:: plant, vesture being removed from the ground.
[6] Time:: life of the plant.
[7] Beryl Apron:: shape and color of the tornado.
[8] Mixing:: the movement of the wind.