Dusk Approaches

Cool grays own the sky now, replacing the brilliance and deep blue of the day,
Dusk approaches, drifting on the light breeze whispering through the leaves,
The delicate aroma of rain floats in the open windows as a stillness grasps the neighborhood,
Out on the front porch the cool gentle caresses of air drive away the day’s sticky grit,
Spent stems of last week’s bright colors bend to the delicate gusts as a tranquil volley of rain drops begin,
Not the harsh rush of other storms, unannounced by tirades of thunder and jagged light
A simple, placid, serene descent envelopes the front yard,
Slowly working its way to the earth only to disappear - leaving not a trace,
As the perfume of damp earth and concrete begin to permeate the air it comes to a close,
Now just the cool breeze and the darkening skies hint at this day’s end,
Subtle grays give way to light oranges and reds and pastel pinks thrown from the western horizon across the sky,
Let me revel in this moment, let me carry it with me for just a short while, let it become my memory of this day,
Ending in solace and contentment, far from its stress and distress, a smile, relief as the sun dips slowly behind the mountains..

Listen to the Outside Tonight

Listen… listen to the outside tonight
Hear the rain, the patter of drops scattered across the landscape
Hear the drops gathering in the gutters and swarming down the spouts
Inhale the aroma… the aroma of fresh and new
Fill your lungs with it, the freshness, the clean fragrances
Feel the cool breeze… feel the air coming from the window
Let it blanket you, throw off the sheet and let it cover your body
Summer night’s rain, calm and caressing
Bringing on the dreams, the soft remembrances and touches
Drift away in the arms of the night
Listen… listen to the outside tonight...

First Spring Storm

The loving sounds of spring's first storm rumbling through the darkness out the front window tonight, matched with the few jagged streaks of light, 

a cooling breeze rising in intensity and the unmistakable aroma of the pending rainfall slipping in the open window. 

Not silent and ghostly like winter snow, 

this spring storm steps boldly out into the night with rising crescendos, 

soon to be matched by the clatter of the rain, 

giving rise to a bursting colored palette of new growth from the dark earth in the following days. 

Stay for a time, 

fill the ground with your precious gift,

sing your song through the night, 

like a lullaby bringing dreams to fill my sleep...