While the sun spreads her arms of flame
throughout the sky,
and the burning of soul and heart and mind come together
in one equal and changing mood.
While the rays of dry heat
form beads of sweat upon face and body,
and the muscles of the day flex, straining,
all together, so that they may rest come nightfall.
While the gray clouds that covered that sun
wisp high overhead,
and the moon rises to mingle with the blue air,
in the midst of emotional fever.
While sunset flings out the mist of rose,
(breathe it in and keep it in my lungs forever),
and the hot breath of the day
thirsts for the cooling of its nerves.
Yes, I've been waiting all day.
For the rain.
For the rain,
when the drops fall upon brown earth,
when the dust lifts and rises
with the wet air,
When the smell of space and mind
fill the area of all tranquillity,
when the shower of foreverness
rejuvenates my being.
When the rain falls.
When the thunder comes tenderly,
as a man falling off a mountain,
then gently crashing to the earth below.
And now the night begins
and the earth is cleansed
with the sweetness
of the falling rain.
Poem © 2000 Russell Moore, all rights reserved
