storm

black feathers gleaming
the final drop of rain falls
from a raven’s beak
–
a tempest-
swirls of cream
in my coffee

in the western sky
the sun sets on iron clouds
promising thunder
–
leaves in the wind-
the low rumble
of distant thunder

a sudden cloudburst-
the rain soaking my shoes as
I run for cover
–
hazy sunshine-
sidewalks steaming
from the passing rain

dark menacing skies
downed trees and power lines-
the storm overhead
–
brooding clouds-
wolves bay
in the distance

howling in the night
a cold wind pounds on my door
straining the hinges
–
black rain-
branches scrape
my darkened window

the sky badly bruised
sitting beneath the mottled
colors of sundown
–
roiling-
iron clouds
hanging low

a lone egret stands
beneath a spreading chestnut
sheltered from the rain
–
thunder snow-
after images of
white lighting

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

Fractures of lightning
Illuminate the downpour
Before the thunder