TASTE OF FALLING RAIN

TASTE OF FALLING RAIN

Parched from the sun's rays, man and beast
seek the shelter of shade, where little is found.
The earth withers, a longing for water soon
is borne by every living creature on the ground.

Eyes blinded by the sun, lips cracked and bleeding,
the worst is upon us, there is a smell of death here
in the putrid air as we continue a struggle to breathe.
In final moments, the memories of life before, appear.

We pray for miracles, for the taste of falling rain,
to once again soothe our lips and clear our eyes.
We sleep, conserving energy and air, powerless
to change our destiny, we dream of cloudy skies.

Then the miracle of life begins as a soft trickle.
Dampness on my face, I rise, conscious of rain
as it continues to fall onto a welcoming land.
It will take days and days, to ever be the same.

In time, the rivers will renew, and life will go on
as we remember, so long ago. Then we will know
what a blessing the falling rain is, how necessary
to sustain life, to thank God for the ebb and flow.

Countrymom
7/28/09