Early morning
Quiet expectations
Lulled by birdsong
Purple morning glories
And soft light

Mid-morning
Rising heat
Morning glories close
Ever valiant impatiens
Meet the rising heat
With patient persistence

Noon
Now impatiens
Begin to droop
Longing for
Life-giving water
A small garter snake
Submerges itself
In our small pond
Air heavy
The day’s breath stills
Still as unwanted death

Mid-afternoon
Distant thunder
Moves closer
Heavy air
No longer still

Rain
Reviving rain
Thunder and lightning
Life renewed

House lights blink
Once
twice
Thunderous lightning
Thrice
(lovely word that – thrice)
Reliable electricity holds

Rain cascades
Recedes
Leaving behind
Triumphant impatiens

Evening approaches
Heat dissipates
Quiet returns
Weary world now
Anticipates sleep
“perchance to dream”
Beyond
This day
Done
This night
Dark