A Cool Rain - Aug 16 2020

A Cool Rain

Aug 16 2020

A cool rain

came fast and hard and brief.

Leaves were torn from trees

grass beaten flat,

small pools formed

gutters overflowed.

Flying insects went to ground

sleeping dogs took shelter

and singing birds stopped cold.

While squirrels hunkered down

peering from their nests;

chirping disapprovingly

at weather

each other

who knows?

The summer people fled,

ducking their heads

and abandoning their fancy drinks;

weak cocktails

frugal scotch,

flat beer

and watered-down red wine.

While small children

turned their faces to heaven

and revelled in the rain,

wet clothes

clinging close

to their slight shivering frames,

hair plastered flat.

When just as quick

a scouring wind

brought bright blue skies

and white scudding clouds,

shafts of sunlight slanting down

on green succulent grass.

The humidity broke

and parched soil drank.

Water dripped

insects filled the air,

standing pools drained

and diluted drinks were drunk.

While the dogs went back to sleep

as dogs have always done.

And the kids

who hadn't come in from the rain

towelled off their frizzy heads

before returning to their games,

as if every day it stormed

as if they'd never gotten wet.