The heat is searing

Sucking all the breath of those who dare to

Tempt their fate

It is unconquerable

Visible waves ripple in the air

Distorting dry images of the dead summer

It roars in the distance

A steady, unearthly growl

Bellowed across the weakening plains

Time is slower

Everything is bright

But not with joy

Not with energy

With hunger

To steal all that makes one whole

Pressing down from above

Until death falls.

 

Yet a hope hangs on the horizon

An army of grey

Stretching nearer

Overshadowing the fire which burns

Too bright

It casts colds fingers though the whistling wheat

Impregnated

The clouds hover

Bearing the weight of the sun on their backs

The air is tense

Holding what breath it has left

Waiting for the rain to fall.

 

And there I stand

My toes scraped by the parched grass

The breeze cool against my cheeks

Every breath stifling and clammy

My eyes stare longingly up to the sky

At the belly of a savior

Whose soul is the very reason why

We all still hold on.

 

Then the first raindrop falls

And the steady shower begins to

Seep into the dusty soil

The flowers weep with relief

And the cardinal ruffles his red crown

Sending droplets glistening down his back

Blackberries, still plump by a miracles kiss,

Tempt me and I pluck the ripest from its branch

Deep purple bubbles burst against my cracked lips

And the juice washes down my chin

Carried by a wayward raindrop

But I don’t care

Because the drought has ended

The battle is won

And the season will blossom beneath the

Blessing of this

Summer rain.