"First Rain"

The grass has missed its fickle lover.
Brown, dry, and frigid in melancholy,
Its dusty tears fall with every crunching footstep.

The trees look thin and irritated.
Thick, clumpy sap inside
Like too many potato chips without a Coca-cola

Coquettish clouds fly by
Like moths drawn towards a warmer lamp
Pausing for a moment just to say,

“Your offerings and lamentations
Look too perfect and pleasing to ruin.
So keep chanting; I won’t ruin your parade just yet.”

It has rained before
Rain you don’t fondly remember
Leaving before dawn like a bad one night stand

It has rained before.
Mist so light you wonder if it’s frozen gnats
Pestering your face till you go inside.

It has rained before.
Cold, angry, vengeful rain
That leaves a trail of bitter chill

But it hasn’t rained like this.

Seducing droplets woo the leaves
Dripping, sticky citrus vermouth
Spicy greenery submits with a sigh
With laughter and giggles, a virginal youth

Grass growing green with fertile relief
A smiling shower taunting your toes
Put down your books, let loose your cares
Face to the sky, drown out your woes

Grandfather oaks bow with supple joy
In cool, wet wind like an ice tea shower
Gladly stripping you birthday-naked,
Once open field now your private bower

Thunderheads loom as elements tumble
Fresh ozone teases while thunder rumbles
Deadens the peace in rebounding silence
The voice of nature, grand is her parlance

Tumultuous deluge beats rhythm down
Crashing of timpani echo the sound
Howling wind whips branches left and right
Dark as the evening with lightning for light

With no “by your leave” the rain is just gone
But no complaints come from the sated lawn
Orange blossoms giggle like drunk ladies do
Leaves and twigs jumbled, the trees tilt askew

Breathe in the thick air while it lingers near
Get your fix while opportunity’s here
Hoard the memory of all you’ve just seen
Cuddle with your soul while it is still clean