Friday, June 6, 2008

Observations on a Storm [V3]

calignous clouds billow up from the ocean
expanding to fill the sky
like steam surging from an ethereal train
the air hisses and strains with movement

a vast shadow covers the town and forest
warmth dissipates from the atmosphere
and the fauna tightens with anxiety
apprehensive silence falls over man and animal
the little singing birds retreat into thick winding branches

the boughs shiver
vacillating in strained sweeping arcs
their leaves glint rapidly in the wind
and nature waits

with a muted distant rumble that crescendos
with spine-tingling celerity
the rain comes hard with the sound of
a million angry cicadas

a great wind picks up and pushes the storm eastward
the tension in the air dissipates with a sigh
as cracks appear in the lowery grey
and gold streams pour through like a heavenly cataract

the light spreads out in all directions
illuminating a world that is wet and waxed
soft glows come off leaves and grass
shingles and telephone wires
steam rises patiently off the glossy pavement
and a little song bird takes a tentative step
out into the gleam of day

he pauses for a moment
the sun warming his small brown body
then a flicker of feathers as he takes flight

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