Rain

after images
through the rain streaked windowpanes
impending thunder
–
mountain stream
a whisper of
quiet nonsense

wishing you all peace
in the hope and promise of
the coming new year
–
auburn leaves
a chestnut takes root
in the dampened earth

dressed in homespun
with an old straw broom, barefoot
sweeping the dirt floor
–
breaking sun
moist soil on
the coffin’s lid

on the horizon
thunderclouds loom low, heavy
with impending rain
–
pounding drums
turning slowly to
polite applause

clinging to the light
for fear I may yet answer
when the darkness calls
–
spring rains
surging cataracts
once docile streams

across the table
the chasm between us grows
wider day by day
–
a sudden stampede
of white horses
August rains

my wet business shirt
translucent where it clings to
the swell of your hips
–
cloudburst
unexpectedly
caught outside

in the pre dawn hours
the sounds of distant thunder
lull me back to sleep
–
a hard rain
drumming on
rhododendrons

a misty red haze
growing stronger feeding on
hate, fear, and anger
–
cold rain
wolves circle
a wounded deer

the rain’s heady scent
rolls in on the thickened air
of the coming storm
–
hummingbirds
weave the air above
a honeysuckle vine