SUMMER THUNDER

Heat comes
after the cool of morning
down out of a clear blue sky
that reaches upwards
towards
forever.

Land bakes under
oven-air that parches
grass and flower,
sears the soul
and wearies hearts and limbs.

Over the mountains
building towering
darkening clouds confound
the sunbright heat
lift winds
fling lightning bolts
and grumble
and deluge at last
to bludgeon flowers
into the sudden mud
but the grass
likes it.

Passing,
on their own wind driven,
clouds sail on
towards the next horizon
and clear bright heat
returns
takes back the wet
and the relief
until it chooses to relent
declining in the sky
descending
behind the mountains
where the clouds began.

2011